Abstract
This paper presents the methodologies and technologies of integrated part feature modeling and process planning for Concurrent Engineering (CE) applications. 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. A discussion is given on part function representation and function mapping mechanism for CE realization. A CE-oriented Computer-Aided Process Planning (CAPP) is advocated to not only fulfill both variant and generative design tasks, but also perform part manufacturability evaluation by using multi-level knowledge reasoning. The knowledge representation as well as a system structure of integrated part feature modeling and process planning for CE application are discussed.
Manufacturing Process Planning in Set-Based Concurrent Engineering Paradigm
