Knowledge-based process planning system for the manufacture of progressive dies

Abstract

A progressive die is a tool for producing large quantities of sheet metal components rapidly, accurately and economically. The design of the press tool and its process planning functions are very specialized and knowledge-intensive activities. In order to effectively address the problems associated with the process planning function, an intelligent knowledge-based object-oriented process planning (IKOOPP) system has been developed for the manufacture of progressive die plates. The IKOOPP system uses part definition data extracted directly from a plate model based on a computer-aided die design system. The object-oriented schema, production rules and heuristical representations are effectively integrated to represent the complex relationships in die design, process planning, heat treatment and fixture design.