Integrating CAD/CAPP/CAM/CNC with Inspections
A logical step after CNC machining is inspection. With inspections, Closed-Loop Machining (CLM) can be realized to maximize the efficiency of a machining process by maintaining a tight control in a manufacturing system. CLM is normally regarded as the highest level of CNC automation. CLM however, requires a tight integration between CAD, CAPP, CAM, and CNC, in particular CAM and CNC and inspections. The questions that are to be answered are (a) what type of inspections is fit for CLM and (b) is there a good data model that one can use to bring machining and inspections together? This chapter tries to provide some possible solutions to these questions. Prior to this, a brief review of the past research work is given. Toward the end of the chapter, a conceptual framework for integrating machining with inspections is presented.