A process planning expert system based on a flexible digit length coding scheme

This paper introduces a generative process planning expert system based on a flexible digit length coding scheme which has been developed specifically for the automated generation of process plans for manufacturing prismatic components. The structure of modules required for the formation of a Generative Computer Aided Process Planning Expert System (GCAPPES), which is aimed at interfacing with the various process planning functions and interrelated manufacturing systems so as to capture and maintain the manufacturing knowledge of process planning for machining prismatic components, has been presented. It is basically a rule-based program that recognizes a new group technology (GT) coding scheme and creates a process plan that includes a list of operations, sequences, machines, cutting tools and parameters such as cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut. A prototype program has been built and tested with results that proved the feasibility of this new GT coding scheme combined with an expert system for generating process plans in prismatic components manufacturing.