Process plan generation for sheet metal parts using an integrated feature-based expert system approach

This paper describes a relational database system for semi-generative process planning for sheet metal parts that emulates expert system capabilities. The system integrates a feature-based relational database for the parts, a forward chaining rule-based strategy for machine selection, both global and feature-specific execution of the rules and a graph theoretic cost optimization model for optimal process plan selection. This system, which is currently being developed for a sheet metal fabrication company, suggests that, using the experience of shopfloor personnel, an efficient integration of feature-based process planning and expert system strategies can be accomplished.