An optimal approach to manufacturing planning for complex prismatic parts with interacting feature

• Published in: International journal of advanced manufacturing technology Vol. 94; no. 1-4; pp. 585 - 597
• Main Authors: Zheng, Zujie, Wang, Qiusen, Zheng, Guolei, Zhu, Junbiao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer London 2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: CAD/CAM; CAE) and Design; Case studies; Classification; Computer-Aided Engineering (CAD; Control systems; Cutting parameters; Data structures; Engineering; Feature recognition; Genetic algorithms; Industrial and Production Engineering; Machining; Manufacturing; Mechanical Engineering; Media Management; Original Article; Prismatic components; Production planning; Manufacturing planning; Interacting feature; NC machining; Genetic algorithm; Aircraft structural part
• ISSN: 0268-3768; 1433-3015
• DOI: 10.1007/s00170-017-0865-1

While interacting feature recognition has received a significant amount of attention, there has been relatively less study of manufacturing planning on interacting feature. At present, most features are machined independently without considering the feature interactions, which more or less induce the reduction of machining efficiency of pockets with interacting features. To address this problem, based on the classification of interacting features, this work proposes an optimal approach to manufacturing planning for aggressive machining of the complex pocket. Firstly, based on the classification of interacting features, the features are grouped and stored in a tree data structure. Secondly, the machining volumes (MVs) are optimized by maximum cutting depth from the root node to the leaf node of the tree model. Finally, the MVs that are composed of complex machining faces are split into several machining cells (MCs), and genetic algorithm (GA) is employed to get optimal MVs. To demonstrate the advantages of the innovative approach, two case studies are rendered, and the results are compared to those obtained by the traditional methods. The proposed approach can be directly implemented into current CAD/CAM software to promote aggressive rough and finish machining of complex pockets in industry.