Machine planning: its role in the generation of manufacturing code from solid model descriptions

SUMMARY

In recent years significant worldwide research effort has been directed towards the computer representation of manufacturing decision-making logic, especially in its application to process planning. This paper describes the concept of a machine planner, which can provide detailed machine-specific planning information to aid both in process-planning decision making and NC code generation. Machine planning decisions are made by integrating manufacturing data, constraints and methods with solid model information. The problem of planning for different machine-tool types is considered, while concentrating on the machining of prismatic parts on 3-axis vertical machining centres in its current software implementation. The use and structure of pre-defined, parametric, manufacturing features in solid models is discussed.