An approach to mapping machining feature to manufacturing feature volume based on geometric reasoning for process planning

Abstract

Efficient construction in three-dimensional working procedure model has an important effect on the efficiency and quality of machining process planning. This article proposes an algorithm to mapping machining features to manufacturing feature volumes from B-rep of mechanical part, and then, the working procedure models are generated. The mapping strategy is performed in three steps. In the first step, three types of machining features, such as depression feature, protrusion feature and transition feature, are introduced. In the second step, the edges of the chosen seed face and its neighboring faces are searched in order to generate the machining feature faces. The last step applies a closure to the machining feature faces to generate a compact solid by applying additional neighboring faces and their extensions. Then, the working procedure models are formed by combining the mapped manufacturing feature volumes with the final parts model. Compared with the existing working procedure model's generation methods, this approach can avoid the unnecessary conversions from the engineering drawing to three-dimensional process models and from the machining knowledge to the modeling knowledge, which can greatly reduce the planning time on modeling. To validate the feasibility and validity of this approach, two machined parts with complex machining features are tested in the developed prototype computer-aided process planning system.

Dynamic Evaluation Method of Machining Process Planning Based on Digital Twin

“…In manufacturing workshop, if the machining equipment failed or added the temporary machining tasks, the process planning need to be modified and lots of time will be cost. In order to demonstrate the significant improvement of our method in efficiency, we take the diesel engine connecting rod as the statistical analysis object, the comparison with the traditional process design methods [5], [7], [32] which have not process evaluation are listed in Table 1. While tracking the process execution of 200 connecting rod, about 35 process plans need to be modified or deferred, and it will take at least 20 hours (conclude the process modification time and process delay time) to adjust the process plan.…”

“…As the manufacturing process of the complex product becomes more and more complex, it is difficult to quickly create the machining planning by the traditional way. In order to reduce the process design cost and increase the consistency and efficiency, MBD-based methods have gradually attracted the attention of researchers [5]- [7]. Because it can better organize and manage a great deal of process knowledge, such as the geometric information of machining features, the precision information of surface and the topological relations, etc.…”

A reliable process planning approach based on fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method incorporating historical machining data

“…Liu et al 14 proposed an operation planning method for 2.5-axis numerical control machining of complex structural parts based on dynamic feature. Liu et al 15 developed an approach to map machining feature to manufacture feature volume for process planning.…”

An extended framework for knowledge modelling and reuse in reverse engineering projects

“…Feature recognition 7,8 is usually defined as the ability to automatically or interactively identify and group topological entities from a solid model. A feature has a functional meaning, indicating forms such as cylindrical holes, slots, pockets and fillets.…”