Parametric process planning based on feature parameters of parts

This paper presents a model parametric process plan that is dependent on feature parameters of parts, and proposes a solution for the automated process planning of part families. Based on the parametric process plan templates for part families and the feature parameters of new parts, a prototype system is developed. First, parts are grouped into families considering their geometric or manufacturing similarities, and the parametric process plan template is pre-created for each family. Then, to plan the process of a new part, the system extracts feature parameters from its feature-based model and generates an a parametric process plan by searching the template library and solving related constraints. Finally, the system outputs the process plan sheets, if necessary. Although the system cannot creatively generate process plans for brand new parts, the system can meet two important requirements of the real industrial world to CAPP systems, that is good system performance and rapid response.