Workpiece classification criteria in automated process planning

Abstract

The classification of products in automated process planning has been researched for more than twenty years now. Automated process planning is a crucial part of computer-aided process planning (CAPP) which enables the user to generate a manufacturing process plan automatically. It is one step towards autonomous process planning required by the fourth industrial (r)evolution. The paper presents process-based software developed for classifying technological properties of a workpiece based on a CAD 3D model. The accessibility of data will be discussed as well as the classifying and working principles of the software that enables both automatic creation of the required manufacturing processes and operation sequencing. The special classification/workpiece coding system will be presented and explained, which is defined by the data from the 3D model that can be reachable or with limited reachability.