Feature-based part modeling and process planning for rapid response manufacturing

Rapid Response Manufacturing (RRM) attempts to put the product manufacturing into effect in the minimum time to satisfy the customer requirements. This paper presents the methodologies of dynamic and integrated part feature modeling and process planning for RRM applications. In order to demonstrate the functions of such system, an integrated model of rotational part feature modeling and process planning has been developed. The part feature modeling is constructed on the basis of a hierarchical and dynamic structure that consists of feature syntax; feature semantics and feature operations. For part comparison in RRM, a two-level comparison strategy has proposed and introduced. The process planning module can fulfill both variant and generative process design tasks, and perform part manufacturability evaluation by using a multi-level knowledge reasoning. Tb support the integration of RRM, a manufacturing environment model was built. An engine crankshaft was selected as the test case.:The implementation and sensitivity of the model which was demonstrated by using the crankshaft is included in the paper. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.