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Aug 16, 2018 | #1
Introduction
Computer aided process planning uses computers to help with the development of a manufacturing process for a product or part. This can be conceptualized as linking computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM). The product is developed by computer-aided design. Computer aided process planning designs the manufacturing which will be assisted by computers.
Process planning involves deciding on the sequence with which single manufacturing operations take place in order to make a part or product (Alavudeen & Venkateshwaran). The particular sequence developed is documented on the route sheet which is usually a digital representation. This route sheet is a list of the machine tools and operations necessary for assembly of the product.
Computers significantly enhance process planning. The design information produced by CAD is translated into efficient processes, which can be utilized by CAM. Computers are used throughout this planning process and include digitized drawings, and data regarding parts, specifications, and materials necessary. Computer modeling can enhance product demand forecasts. Computer software is available, which can handle routing, that indicates the necessary work centers, operation sequences, fixtures, standards, and tooling necessary to produce a product. This software generally includes the ability to create process plans, which provide step-by-step manufacturing instructions.
Variant process planning involves a group of technologies (Narayan, Rao & Sarcar). With this approach, the process plans for types of parts are stored using a coded system. The plans are standardized and can be retrieved when necessary. The plan can be edited to meet any new and specific need. It is important that this type of software uses organization of files, which is intuitive to the planner. The coding enables retrieval of the necessary plans which match the file organization.
Variant process planning uses distinct files for each general type of part. The computer also creates and stores the operation sequence and machine routing. Algorithms allow the user to identify the general type of part and enter an appropriate code number. The computer will then search for the necessary file. Once the file is located, a standard operation will be provided for the user. The user can then edit or modify the standard plan as necessary given the particular circumstances. The computer allows the process plans to be developed with increased accuracy and speed. The standard plans are already stored and can be quickly edited.
Generative process planning involves designing the production of a product from scratch. There is no standardized plan available for the part or product type which can be retrieved from a computerized database. Software used for this type of process planning makes use of programming, which makes logical and technical decisions. These decisions are made using information previously stored regarding the machine tools available and their capabilities. The planner enters a description of the parts into the computer, and an appropriate process plan is developed. The computer will indicate the optimal process sequence. This description is based on the machining capabilities and the description of the product or part provided by the user. This type of software can make decisions and comparisons faster than a human. The plans are generated quickly and consistently.
In order for the generative process planning to work properly, the product must be defined specifically. This means its initial state must be known as well as the completed state. The computer develops the process plan according to the difference between the initial and completed state. This type of planning can be forward or backward. Forward planning begins with the initial state while backward planning begins with the completed state.
There are process planning systems available, which are hybrids between the variant and generative systems (Elanchezhian, Selwyn & Sundar). Some consider these types of systems to be advanced examples of the variant technology which uses generative features. This type of software will work in cooperation with a planner who has technical knowledge. These systems require the planner to understand and interpret the working drawings and decision data.
The hybrid computer aided process planning systems have a number of uses. They can develop the overall process plan and allow the generative component of the system to make the necessary modifications. This type of hybrid system can also create a process plan and allow the variant component to make the necessary adjustments regarding details.
The hybrid computer aided process planning systems are flexible with regard to the user. A process planner can select a variant approach when they are developing a product which is already known to have similar process designs. If the user is unable to find a similar product most of this software will allow switching to a generative approach in which the computer decides on a new type of process plan.
Conclusion
Computer aided process planning can be understood as providing a link between computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing. There are two different general approaches to process planning. Variant process planning involves storing the processes for groups of parts in a coded system. This allows a planner to identify a similar part and enter the appropriate code into the computer. The software will then provide the planner with a general approach that can be modified to meet the specific needs of the situation.
The other type of computerized process planning involves the generative approach. This type of software will create a new plan for a product or part when no standardized plans are available. This is especially helpful when a new type of product is being developed. The software makes the decisions regarding technical matters, but must be provided with the appropriate information. The machining capabilities and description of the product must be input to the computer. Both the products initial and finished state must be described in detail.
There are also a number of computer-aided process planning systems, which are hybrids between the generative and variant approach. The majority of these systems are designed to use both types of information and are more flexible regarding their approach.
References
Alavudeen, A. & Venkateshwaran, N. (2008), Computer integrated manufacturing, Prentice-Hall of India.
Elanchezhian, C., Selwyn, T. S. & Sundar, G. S. (2007), Computer Aided Manufacturing, 2nd ed, Laxmi Publications, New Delhi, India
Narayan, K. L., Rao, K. M. & Sarcar, M. M. (2008), Computer aided design and manufacturing, Prentice-Hall of India, New Delhi, India.
Computer aided process planning uses computers to help with the development of a manufacturing process for a product or part. This can be conceptualized as linking computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM). The product is developed by computer-aided design. Computer aided process planning designs the manufacturing which will be assisted by computers.
Process planning involves deciding on the sequence with which single manufacturing operations take place in order to make a part or product (Alavudeen & Venkateshwaran). The particular sequence developed is documented on the route sheet which is usually a digital representation. This route sheet is a list of the machine tools and operations necessary for assembly of the product.
Computers significantly enhance process planning. The design information produced by CAD is translated into efficient processes, which can be utilized by CAM. Computers are used throughout this planning process and include digitized drawings, and data regarding parts, specifications, and materials necessary. Computer modeling can enhance product demand forecasts. Computer software is available, which can handle routing, that indicates the necessary work centers, operation sequences, fixtures, standards, and tooling necessary to produce a product. This software generally includes the ability to create process plans, which provide step-by-step manufacturing instructions.Variant Process Planning
Variant process planning involves a group of technologies (Narayan, Rao & Sarcar). With this approach, the process plans for types of parts are stored using a coded system. The plans are standardized and can be retrieved when necessary. The plan can be edited to meet any new and specific need. It is important that this type of software uses organization of files, which is intuitive to the planner. The coding enables retrieval of the necessary plans which match the file organization.
Variant process planning uses distinct files for each general type of part. The computer also creates and stores the operation sequence and machine routing. Algorithms allow the user to identify the general type of part and enter an appropriate code number. The computer will then search for the necessary file. Once the file is located, a standard operation will be provided for the user. The user can then edit or modify the standard plan as necessary given the particular circumstances. The computer allows the process plans to be developed with increased accuracy and speed. The standard plans are already stored and can be quickly edited.
Generative Process Planning
Generative process planning involves designing the production of a product from scratch. There is no standardized plan available for the part or product type which can be retrieved from a computerized database. Software used for this type of process planning makes use of programming, which makes logical and technical decisions. These decisions are made using information previously stored regarding the machine tools available and their capabilities. The planner enters a description of the parts into the computer, and an appropriate process plan is developed. The computer will indicate the optimal process sequence. This description is based on the machining capabilities and the description of the product or part provided by the user. This type of software can make decisions and comparisons faster than a human. The plans are generated quickly and consistently.
In order for the generative process planning to work properly, the product must be defined specifically. This means its initial state must be known as well as the completed state. The computer develops the process plan according to the difference between the initial and completed state. This type of planning can be forward or backward. Forward planning begins with the initial state while backward planning begins with the completed state.
Hybrid Process Planning
There are process planning systems available, which are hybrids between the variant and generative systems (Elanchezhian, Selwyn & Sundar). Some consider these types of systems to be advanced examples of the variant technology which uses generative features. This type of software will work in cooperation with a planner who has technical knowledge. These systems require the planner to understand and interpret the working drawings and decision data.
The hybrid computer aided process planning systems have a number of uses. They can develop the overall process plan and allow the generative component of the system to make the necessary modifications. This type of hybrid system can also create a process plan and allow the variant component to make the necessary adjustments regarding details.
The hybrid computer aided process planning systems are flexible with regard to the user. A process planner can select a variant approach when they are developing a product which is already known to have similar process designs. If the user is unable to find a similar product most of this software will allow switching to a generative approach in which the computer decides on a new type of process plan.
Conclusion
Computer aided process planning can be understood as providing a link between computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing. There are two different general approaches to process planning. Variant process planning involves storing the processes for groups of parts in a coded system. This allows a planner to identify a similar part and enter the appropriate code into the computer. The software will then provide the planner with a general approach that can be modified to meet the specific needs of the situation.
The other type of computerized process planning involves the generative approach. This type of software will create a new plan for a product or part when no standardized plans are available. This is especially helpful when a new type of product is being developed. The software makes the decisions regarding technical matters, but must be provided with the appropriate information. The machining capabilities and description of the product must be input to the computer. Both the products initial and finished state must be described in detail.
There are also a number of computer-aided process planning systems, which are hybrids between the generative and variant approach. The majority of these systems are designed to use both types of information and are more flexible regarding their approach.
References
Alavudeen, A. & Venkateshwaran, N. (2008), Computer integrated manufacturing, Prentice-Hall of India.
Elanchezhian, C., Selwyn, T. S. & Sundar, G. S. (2007), Computer Aided Manufacturing, 2nd ed, Laxmi Publications, New Delhi, India
Narayan, K. L., Rao, K. M. & Sarcar, M. M. (2008), Computer aided design and manufacturing, Prentice-Hall of India, New Delhi, India.