An integrated CAPP system for parts machined on single spindle Swiss-type automatics

Abstract

This paper outlines the development of an expert system based integrated CAPP system for parts machined on single spindle Swiss-type automatics (SSSA). The reason for selecting parts fabricated on SSSA is that an SSSA can be considered as a mini-integrated manufacturing system which performs various machining operations and permits complete machining in one setup, so that the application feasibility of the system can be investigated. The process planning activity in the implemented system is integrated to the other design and planning activities. The technical communication between the planning and design modules is addressed at working rather than result level. Moreover, there is no obvious boundary between process and operation planning functions. The potential role of the expert system approach is demonstrated through the design of production knowledge base, machining operation data bank and inference engine. The system can automatically generate machining process procedures without any human intervention. © 1990.