How CAD system communicate with control system

The concept of a universal data exchange system is depicted in figure. In this figure, it is shown how various CAD systems communicate with the production planning and control system. The adaptation of protocols, data formats and data transmission rates are done by the interface. The interface must provide a real time compatibility and it must ensure that the semantics of the exchanged information is maintained. Data conversion may be done directly in the interface with preprocessors or postprocessors. With the help of such an interface it becomes possible to use existing software and hardware modules for various applications in a factory. In addition, a company's own manufacturing data can be easily merged with those from vendors and suppliers. It is also possible to build manufacturing planning and control systems from heterogeneous modules supplied by different vendors.