An integrated framework for automated process planning: Design and analysis

An architecture of a CAPP system is proposed based on the SRG system (Kao 1992) and Gallagher (1994) for automated feature recognition from CAD data on prismatic objects and the CSM system (Aldakhilallah and Ramesh 1997) for the determination of minimal cover sets of features needed for manufacturing. A CAPP environment called Cover Set Planning and Scheduling (CSPS) system has been developed which consists of two modules: Process Planner (PP) and Process Scheduler (PS). The PP module determines the tool approach directions, eliminates infeasible plans, selects machines and tools and determines time and cost estimates for the production of a product using a minimal cover set obtained from the CSM system. The PS module determines an efficient production schedule for a minimal cover set using a heuristic algorithm for the underlying schedule optimization problem. The algorithm has been extensively tested and computational results are provided. An overall framework for an integrated process planning environment and the modular integration of the CSPS system are presented. Extensive analyses show that the proposed architectural framework is both efficient and viable for implementation in practical automated and integrated manufacturing environments.