Process sequence determination for tolerance charting

Abstract

Conventionally, the process sequence has to be known before the construction of the tolerance chart can begin. The determination of the process sequence requires extensive knowledge and experience on the part of the process planner. This paper describes a method of determining the process sequence automatically using a special profile representation method. The method uses a two-dimensional matrix, incorporating a number coding system, to model the part profile. A feature interpretation system is then developed to search and analyse the features using the ‘top-down’ approach and to assign the appropriate processes to each of them individually. An example is used to illustrate the method.