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ComputerAided_Design_Engineering_amp_Manufactur.pdf

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2.<br />

machining facility (e.g., gang milling), (b) by using multiple spindle machine tools, or (c) by using<br />

more than one machine during the same operation time (e.g., automatic transfer line). The knowledge<br />

base consists of a set of constraining rules that identifies all those features that can be machined<br />

in one operation. The constraining rules depend on the feature accessibility criteria, machinability<br />

conditions, and fixturing considerations for machining different features. For simultaneous machining<br />

operations, rules are defined mainly to guarantee an interference-free operation. The main<br />

criterion to allow multiple features to be machined simultaneously is that all of the involved machining<br />

operations must be mutually exclusive, i.e., the condition of generation of one feature should<br />

not depend on the existence of another feature of the same group. Furthermore, knowledge regarding<br />

the constraints imposed by fixturing devices and cl<strong>amp</strong>ing positions for simultaneous machining<br />

operations is also provided in this knowledge base. The second component of the knowledge base<br />

deals with sequencing of machining operations. Most manufacturing features require more than one<br />

manufacturing operation for obtaining the desired functional properties of the finished workpiece.<br />

Some precedence relations always exist among the machining operations, which are also stored in<br />

the knowledge base. These precedence relationships are established on the basis of the following<br />

criteria: (a) precedence requirements due to a unidirectional chain of process operations, (b) precedence<br />

relationships between machined surfaces due to surface quality and datum considerations,<br />

and (c) precedence relationships among part features depending on accessibility and cl<strong>amp</strong>ing<br />

considerations.<br />

Generation of workpiece orientations for machining: Stable workpiece orientations are determined<br />

on the basis of the workpiece configuration and the set of machining operations that are<br />

to be performed on it. The orientation must comply with the standard fixturing rules and should<br />

allow interference-free, concurrent operations. This knowledge base consists of two components;<br />

one part corresponds to the determination of orientation and location of the workpiece with<br />

respect to the machine spindle, and the other determines the required resting and cl<strong>amp</strong>ing points<br />

on the workpiece. This knowledge base should also be capable of dealing with the issues of fixture<br />

selection from a standard fixture library.<br />

All of the above data bases and knowledge bases have been incorporated in the BBPP system.<br />

Knowledge Representation and Reasoning<br />

Frames and rule-based knowledge representation schemes are considered to be the most appropriate<br />

means of storing the different data types pertaining to the knowledge and data bases (described earlier).<br />

Factual knowledge is best represented by frames while problem solving knowledge is best described<br />

through declarative statements in the form of production rules. A forward chaining inference strategy<br />

using the blackboard architecture concept for problem solving has been adopted for developing the<br />

process plan. The process plans are evolved through the interactions of different domain experts (in the process<br />

planning domain) who use the blackboard data base for developing different segments of the process plan.<br />

The blackboard approach to problem solving reflects the cooperative problem solving approach normally<br />

followed by process planners (shop floor personnel). The process plan starts with the raw stock and<br />

involves different machining processes to transform the raw stock into the finished part. The process<br />

planning system requires an explicit representation of the geometrical and technological information of<br />

the part in order to make different process planning decisions. Thus, a product data model (PDM) of<br />

the part is required at each stage during the formulation of the process plan. It uses a feature-based<br />

representation scheme for representing the part geometry. 17 Along with the geometrical and topological<br />

information of the part, it also provides the surface finish and variational information (tolerance information)<br />

for the process planning procedure. The PDM of the part has been specifically designed for this<br />

purpose and is composed of two segments. The first segment consists of specifications of the raw stock<br />

used for manufacturing the part while the second segment consists of the specifications of the finished<br />

workpiece model of the part. The finished workpiece model consists of a collection of specifications,<br />

which is used for characterizing the different form features of the part (Table 1.2).<br />

© 2001 by CRC Press LLC

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