S-CIMS: Towards Integrated and Environmentally Conscious Manufacturing Systems

This paper proposes to introduce the concept of sustainable development into computer integrated manufacturing systems, known as sustainable CIMS (S-CIMS), which can realize an integrated and environmentally conscious manufacturing. After the concepts of CIMS and cleaner production are briefly presented, the concept of S-CIMS is put forward. Then the information flow, which is the foundation of information integration, and the material flow in S-CIMS are discussed. The cleaner production subsystem is a new subsystem added to S-CIMS and therefore we give it a brief description. Finally, an environmental information management system supporting life cycle management developed by the authors is presented.