An Interactive Aid for Designing and Planning Heterogeneous Layered Prototypes

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Clark ◽  
Liba Xia ◽  
Mark R. Cutkosky
Keyword(s):  
Process Planning ◽  
Manufacturing Process ◽  
Layered Manufacturing ◽  
Planning Tool ◽  
Cad Systems ◽  
Manufacturing Planning ◽  
Planning Decisions ◽  
Collaborative Environment ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Programming Interfaces

Abstract We describe a Java process editor to assist designers with the creation of complex, multi-material prototypes via a layered manufacturing process. Designers should generally participate in the manufacturing planning of such parts because many planning decisions are based on functional considerations. For maximum flexibility, the process planning tool should work in a collaborative environment with multiple CAD systems. These considerations have lead us to develop an interactive editor that is built atop a Java agent infrastructure and communicates with commercial CAD systems via their applications programming interfaces.

A Formative Evaluation of a Feature Extraction and Process Planning Tool

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel M. Gaines ◽  
Caroline C. Hayes
Keyword(s):  
Feature Extraction ◽  
Process Planning ◽  
Human Performance ◽  
Formative Evaluation ◽  
Planning Tool ◽  
Computer Tools ◽  
Manufacturing Planning ◽  
Usability Assessment ◽  
Development Cycle ◽  
Assessment Techniques

Abstract It is a common problem that many computer tools intended to enhance human performance in design or manufacturing planning do not do so. In many cases they may actually degrade performance. One way to increase the probability that a tool will meet users needs is to include frequent periodic usability assessments in the development process so feedback from users can be incorporated in new iterations of the software design. This paper describes an example of one such assessment applied to a Mediator, a feature extraction and process planning tool for assisting process planners to explore plan options more quickly and thoroughly. There exists a wide variety of usability assessment techniques which can mostly be divided into two broad categories: summative evaluations which provide in-depth assessments in the final stages of software development, and formative evaluations which tend to be smaller in scale and are used to provide guidance for “forming” subsequent software versions during the development cycle. In this work, we describe a formative usability assessment. The study indicated that Mediator was meeting its design goal of broadening the users exploration of manufacturing options, in some cases producing high quality manufacturing options which the expert users had not considered on their own. The study also provided formative redesign information gleaned which will help future versions of Mediator to better meet the actual needs of process planners.

Layered Manufacturing With Embedded Components: Process Planning Considerations

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge G. Cham ◽  
Beth L. Pruitt ◽  
Mark R. Cutkosky ◽  
Mike Binnard ◽  
Lee E. Weiss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Process Planning ◽  
Layered Manufacturing ◽  
Manufacturing Processes ◽  
Smart Products ◽  
Design And Manufacturing ◽  
Manufacturing Methods ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Shape Deposition Manufacturing ◽  
Planning Algorithms ◽  
Mechanical Components

Abstract This paper addresses the design and manufacturing of products with embedded components through layered manufacturing processes such as Shape Deposition Manufacturing (SDM). Embedding components allows the creation of novel designs such as “smart” products and integrated assemblies of sensors, actuators and other mechanical components. We present prototypes to illustrate the possibilities for such devices and we address the issues that constrain their process planning. Next, we present a combination of process planning algorithms and manufacturing methods that we have developed to support the design of layered products with embedded components.

Computational Geometric Solutions for Efficient Additive Manufacturing Process Planning

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anoop Verma ◽  
Rahul Rai
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Process Planning ◽  
Manufacturing Process ◽  
Manufacturing Processes ◽  
Planning Decisions ◽  
Manufacturing Process Planning ◽  
Build Time ◽  
Time Accuracy ◽  
Geometric Solutions

Additive manufacturing processes are capable of printing parts with any shape and complexity. The parts fabricated with additive manufacturing processes requires minimum human intervention. Process planning decisions play an important role in making sure the fabricated parts meets the desired specification, including the build time and cost. A quick and unified approach to quantify the manufacturing build time, accuracy, and cost in real time is lacking. In the present research, a generic and near real-time framework for unified additive manufacturing process planning is presented. We have developed computational geometric solutions to estimate tight upper bound of manufacturing process planning decisions that can be analyzed in almost real time. Results of developed computational approach are compared against the optimized process plans to ensure its applicability. Case studies comprising of numerous parts with varying shape, and application area is also outlined.

Feature Conglomerator: Helping Users Identify Cost Effective Feature Interpretations

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian An ◽  
Caroline C. Hayes
Keyword(s):  
Feature Extraction ◽  
Process Planning ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Basic Assumption ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cnc Machining ◽  
Needs Analysis ◽  
Planning Tool ◽  
Manufacturing Planning ◽  
Feature Extractor

Feature Conglomerator is a manufacturing planning tool for use in 3 and 5 axis prismatic CNC machining domains. Feature extractors typically have many choices (i.e. interpretations) of how they may subdivide complex volumes into component features. Unfortunately, it may be difficult for the feature extractor to identify the interpretation which will result in the best manufacturing plan. The basic assumption behind this work is that much of the information needed to identify the best feature interpretation is not available during feature extraction. However, it does become available during manufacturing planning. Thus, if the initial features identified can be adjusted and refined during manufacturing planning, interpretation decisions can be better informed. This approach can be contrasted to that of Chang [1], which also refines features during manufacturing planning, in that this work is based on an information needs analysis to determine the most strategic time at which to make feature refinement decisions. This approach further blurs the line between feature extraction and process planning to make better informed feature interpretation decisions.

Simulation as a Manufacturing Process Planning Tool

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shankar Venkatachalam ◽  
K. Prasanna ◽  
Ravi L. J. Clement ◽  
K. V. Subramanian
Keyword(s):  
Process Planning ◽  
Manufacturing Process ◽  
Planning Tool ◽  
Manufacturing Process Planning

Machining Feature-Based CAD/CAPP for STEP-NC

2014 ◽  
Vol 598 ◽  
pp. 591-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Yan Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Process Planning ◽  
Manufacturing Process ◽  
Data Transfer ◽  
Operation Planning ◽  
Computer Aided Process Planning ◽  
Machining Feature ◽  
Computer Aided ◽  
Cad Cam ◽  
Feature Based ◽  
Cam Systems

ISO 14649, known as STEP-NC, is new model of data transfer between CAD/CAM systems and CNC machines. In this paper, the modeling based on machining feature is proposed. The machining feature comes from the manufacturing process considering the restriction of machining technology and machining resource. Then the framework for computer aided process planning is presented, where the algorithms of operation planning is studied. The practical example has been provided and results indicate that machining feature based model can integrate with CAPP and STEP-NC seamlessly.

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