FEATURE-BASED PROCESS PLAN GENERATION FROM 3D DSG INPUTS

Abstract

A method that can automatically generate a process plan from 3D input data for a prismatic part is proposed. The 3D input data are the machining features represented in the DSG tree model [1]. A DSG tree is a special case of CSG tree in which all geometric operations are of difference type. The proposed method can (a) transfer the DSG-represented input data into refined machinable features, (b) determine the machinability of features, and (c) determine the cutting directions of all features of a prismatic part. This information is used to determine the machines, tools, and machining sequences that are required to manufacture a part. The NC paths are also generated. Computer simulations are provided to illustrate the proposed method. The major contribution of this paper is that the process plan of a CSG represented prismatic part can be generated automatically through the proposed method. It, therefore, extends the application domain of the CSG tree model and fully integrates CAD/CAM systems.