The development of CAPP (Computer Aided Process Planning) systems promises improvement to the design efficiency and quality of process plans, whilst maintaining knowledge for future developments. Although considerable progress has been made in Computer Aided Process Planning, most of the systems developed or under development so far are limited to one manufacturing operation and to planning for an individual part design. The systems lack an overall structure for real manufacturing practice. This thesis examines the problems involved in the planning of an extensive manufacturing task involving many different processes including chemical and thermal treatments. On the basis of the evaluation of the manufacturing system in the collaborating company, an intelligent database system has been designed to solve metallurgical process planning problems involved in the manufacture of large steel forgings. In this CAPP database system, two hierarchy control levels involving a number of local planning areas have been adopted to allow the development of process sub-plans as well as supporting engineering data. All the process sub-plans have been integrated into a single system rather than isolated as separate entities within the overall metallurgical process planning system together with quality assurance control and other functions. These sub-plans, however, are planned and modified in the separate planning areas, the development being conducted on facsimile data records. Only when each sub-plan has reached a satisfactory state of development is it issued - made available to the overall system - by transferring the facsimile records into the system data files, the facsimile records then being discarded. Metallurgical process knowledge and rules have been incorporated into the database. These allow the system to assist users to make decisions and achieve final desired process plans. A versional approach has been developed to organise and control the stage by stage evolution of issued process plans within this complex steel forging environment. The use of separate planning areas and local facsimile records allows the modification of sub-plans already issued to be undertaken on a step by step but secure basis. A fully operating authorisation system controlling access to the data and the deletion or modification of records has been achieved. This is essential in a CAPP system of this type in which historical decisions, or approved rules based on historical experience, are presented to the users as the basis to make new decisions. The work has been extended to explore external enhancement of the central database system with an expert system and with specially written C ++ programmes. The system architecture needed to support this link is described, and issues raised by the enhancement that relate to the overall control are then addressed. The final part of the thesis examines the limitations of the method that has been developed and discusses difficulties involved in implementing a CAPP system in a large concern involved in the 'bespoke' manufacture of complex engineering artifacts on a one-off design basis.

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O planejamento de processos é uma atividade essencial nas diversas etapas do ciclo de manufatura, em particular nas indústrias que produzem peças através de processos de usinagem. O uso de sistemas CAPP tem implicado em uma evolução nos sistemas de planejamento. A determinação da máquina, da ferramenta e das condições operacionais adequadas visando a otimização das diversas operações é fundamental para o sucesso do processo produtivo e da empresa, podendo ser melhorado pelo uso do CAPP. Estudam-se, assim, os fatores que influenciam esse tipo de processo, propondo-se um modelo de sistema protótipo para o seu planejamento, de forma a se ter no final uma especificação teórica da profundidade de corte, do avanço e da velocidade de corte, considerando aspectos como a usinabilidade do material da peça, os tempos de fabricação secundários e auxiliares, e a própria logística aplicada ao fluxo de peças no chão-de-fábrica através da definição quanto à máquina empregada ser ou não gargalo além de considerações sobre a disponibilidade de carga-máquina. Procurou-se elaborar um critério de otimização que considere não apenas o intervalo de máxima eficiência como proposto por vários autores, mas discuta a aplicação de seus limites e as restrições do sistema máquina-ferramenta-peça. Além do planejamento teórico o sistema possui um módulo de ensaios práticos visando refinar os valores teóricos da velocidade de corte adotada para garantir a sua perfeita aplicação com a máquina e a ferramenta adotados. A proposta do sistema é semi-generativa, unindo soluções algorítmicas e baseadas em conhecimento, com uma interface simples e amigável ao usuário. / Process planning is an essential activity in the several stages of the manufacturing cycle, particularly in industries which produce parts by means of machining processes. The use of CAPP systems has implied in a planning systems evolution. The determination of machine, tooling and suitable operational conditions looking at the optimization of the several operations is fundamental to the success of the productive process and of the enterprise, and can be improved by use of CAPP systems. It was studied the factors which influence this kind of process and it was proposed a prototype system model for this planning and for obtaining a theoretical specification of the depth of cut, feed and cutting speed, taking into consideration aspects like machinability of the part material, secondary and auxiliary manufacturing times, and the logistics applied to the flow of parts at the shop-floor through the definition of the used machine to be or not a production neck beyond considerations on the availability of machine capacity. It was proposed an optimization criterion which considers not only the maximum efficiency interval as quoted by many authors but also discuss the application of its limits and the restrictions of the system machine-tool-part. Besides the theoretical planning the system has a practical testing module intended to refine the theoretical values of the adopted cutting speed to guarantee its application to the defined machine and tooling. The system approach is semi-generative, with algorithmic and knowledge based solutions, with a simple and user-friendly interface.

O planejamento de processos é uma atividade essencial nas diversas etapas do ciclo de manufatura, em particular nas indústrias que produzem peças através de processos de usinagem. O uso de sistemas CAPP tem implicado em uma evolução nos sistemas de planejamento. A determinação da máquina, da ferramenta e das condições operacionais adequadas visando a otimização das diversas operações é fundamental para o sucesso do processo produtivo e da empresa, podendo ser melhorado pelo uso do CAPP. Estudam-se, assim, os fatores que influenciam esse tipo de processo, propondo-se um modelo de sistema protótipo para o seu planejamento, de forma a se ter no final uma especificação teórica da profundidade de corte, do avanço e da velocidade de corte, considerando aspectos como a usinabilidade do material da peça, os tempos de fabricação secundários e auxiliares, e a própria logística aplicada ao fluxo de peças no chão-de-fábrica através da definição quanto à máquina empregada ser ou não gargalo além de considerações sobre a disponibilidade de carga-máquina. Procurou-se elaborar um critério de otimização que considere não apenas o intervalo de máxima eficiência como proposto por vários autores, mas discuta a aplicação de seus limites e as restrições do sistema máquina-ferramenta-peça. Além do planejamento teórico o sistema possui um módulo de ensaios práticos visando refinar os valores teóricos da velocidade de corte adotada para garantir a sua perfeita aplicação com a máquina e a ferramenta adotados. A proposta do sistema é semi-generativa, unindo soluções algorítmicas e baseadas em conhecimento, com uma interface simples e amigável ao usuário. / Process planning is an essential activity in the several stages of the manufacturing cycle, particularly in industries which produce parts by means of machining processes. The use of CAPP systems has implied in a planning systems evolution. The determination of machine, tooling and suitable operational conditions looking at the optimization of the several operations is fundamental to the success of the productive process and of the enterprise, and can be improved by use of CAPP systems. It was studied the factors which influence this kind of process and it was proposed a prototype system model for this planning and for obtaining a theoretical specification of the depth of cut, feed and cutting speed, taking into consideration aspects like machinability of the part material, secondary and auxiliary manufacturing times, and the logistics applied to the flow of parts at the shop-floor through the definition of the used machine to be or not a production neck beyond considerations on the availability of machine capacity. It was proposed an optimization criterion which considers not only the maximum efficiency interval as quoted by many authors but also discuss the application of its limits and the restrictions of the system machine-tool-part. Besides the theoretical planning the system has a practical testing module intended to refine the theoretical values of the adopted cutting speed to guarantee its application to the defined machine and tooling. The system approach is semi-generative, with algorithmic and knowledge based solutions, with a simple and user-friendly interface.

Computer aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) has been a focal research area for the manufacturing industry. Genuine CAD/CAM integration is necessary to make products of higher quality with lower cost and shorter lead times. Although CAD and CAM have been extensively used in industry, effective CAD/CAM integration has not been implemented. The major obstacles of CAD/CAM integration are the representation of design and process knowledge and the adaptive ability of computer aided process planning (CAPP). This research is aimed to develop a feature-based CAD/CAM integration methodology. Artificial intelligent techniques such as neural networks, heuristic algorithms, genetic algorithms and fuzzy logics are used to tackle problems. The activities considered include: 1) Component design based on a number of standard feature classes with validity check. A feature classification for machining application is defined adopting ISO 10303-STEP AP224 from a multi-viewpoint of design and manufacture. 2) Search of interacting features and identification of features relationships. A heuristic algorithm has been proposed in order to resolve interacting features. The algorithm analyses the interacting entity between each feature pair, making the process simpler and more efficient. 3) Recognition of new features formed by interacting features. A novel neural network-based technique for feature recognition has been designed, which solves the problems of ambiguity and overlaps. 4) Production of a feature based model for the component. 5) Generation of a suitable process plan covering selection of machining operations, grouping of machining operations and process sequencing. A hybrid feature-based CAPP has been developed using neural network, genetic algorithm and fuzzy evaluating techniques.

L’objectif de ces travaux est de développer une méthodologie de génération automatique de gammes d’usinage optimises et innovantes qui permettent aux sous-traitants aéronautiques de faire face aux problématiques de productivité et de compétitivité actuelles. Dans un premier temps, un état de l’art sur les systèmes existants de génération de gammes est présenté et permet d’introduire les limites des systèmes actuels. Une méthodologie en quatre étapes est ensuite proposée, permettant à l’utilisateur d’obtenir des gammes d’usinage optimisées respectant son savoir-faire et son expérience et introduisant de l’innovation. Cette méthodologie s’appuie sur une représentation du comportement décisionnel des méthodistes dans une situation donnée ainsi que face au risque à l’industrialisation et élargit la formalisation de la performance d’une gamme en prenant en compte d’autres critères de performance autres que le temps d’usinage ou le coût global. Ainsi, un état de l’art sur les méthodes d’aide à la décision multicritère permet de sélectionner la méthode pour l’agrégation des performances par rapport à la problématique industrielle. Après une description géométrique et technologique de la pièce et la création par les méthodistes, d’opérations d’usinage élémentaires, un algorithme génétique est utilisé pour générer des gammes optimisées. Lors d’une dernière étape, la méthodologie présente les meilleures gammes générées au méthodiste et l’utilisation de la théorie du choix social lui permet de cibler les gammes les plus performantes à implanter, en intégrant un critère de risque à l’industrialisation. Cette méthodologie a été appliquée à une pièce de train d’atterrissage usinée en alliage de Titane et a permis une diminution de 25% du temps d’usinage tout en augmentant la fiabilisation. Des perspectives d’amélioration de l’outil d’aide à la décision, à diverses étapes de la méthodologie, sont enfin proposées. / The objective of this work is to develop a Computer-Aided Process Planning (CAPP) methodology to allow aeronautical subcontractors to face the current productivity and competitiveness problems. To start, a state of the art on the existing CAPP systems is presented and introduce the limits of the current systems. A four-step methodology is then proposed, allowing the user to obtain optimized machining ranges respecting his know-how and experience and introducing innovation. This methodology is based on a representation of the decision-making behavior of the process planners in a given situation as well as the risk of industrialization and broadens the formalization of the performance by taking into account performance criteria other than the machining time or cost. Thus, a state of the art on multicriteria decision-making methods helps to select the method for the aggregation of performance in relation to the industrial problem. After a geometrical and technological description of a mechanical part and the creation by the process planners of elementary machining operations, a genetic algorithm is used to generate optimized ranges. In a final step, the methodology presents the best process plans generated to the process planners and the use of the social choice theory allows to target the most efficient ones to choose, integrating a risk criterion based on tool deflection. This methodology was applied to a Titanium alloy machined landing gear part and allowed a 25% reduction in machining time while increasing reliability. Finally, prospects for improving the decision-making tool at various stages of the methodology are proposed.

No description available.

Les approches conventionnelles pour la génération de processus de fabrication sont inefficaces pour gérer la complexité induite par la variété des produits et la dynamique de fabrication. La génération des processus de fabrication reconfigurables (RPP) est une nouvelle méthode de CAPP qui vise à générer des processus de fabrication pour une famille de produits / pièces. Cette thèse vise à apporter une contribution majeure aux modèles de représentation et aux méthodes de génération permettant la génération des processus de fabrication reconfigurables à deux niveaux de granularité : famille de produits et famille de pièces. Les approches proposées pour le RPP sont compatibles avec une extension du concept de famille de produits / pièces qui est défini en utilisant le concept de domaine. Un modèle pour une variété fonctionnelle de produit / pièce basé sur des entités est développé afin de représenter les informations nécessaires à la gestion des processus reconfigurables en utilisant des techniques modulaires. Des modèles mathématiques et des modèles de représentation sont proposés pour décrire le processus de fabrication reconfigurable à deux niveaux de granularité. Sur la base des modèles de représentation, les méthodes de génération et les algorithmes sont ensuite détaillés dans ce cadre. En outre, un cadre global est proposé pour décrire comment les modèles et les méthodes proposés collaborent pour gérer la variété de produit / pièce et la dynamique de fabrication. Pour illustrer la faisabilité des modèles et méthodes proposés, deux familles de pompes (l’une à engrenage et l’autre à huile) sont utilisées à titre d'exemples illustratifs tout au long de ce mémoire de thèse. / Conventional manufacturing process planning approaches are inefficient to handle the process planning complexity induced by product variety and manufacturing dynamics. Reconfigurable process planning (RPP) is an emerging CAPP approach targeting to the generation of process plans for a product/part family. This thesis aims to give major contributions to the representation models and generation methods to support reconfigurable process planning at two granularity levels: product family and part family. The proposed approaches for RPP are compatible with an extended concept of product/part family which is defined by using the concept of “domain”. A feature-based product/part variety model is developed to represent the required information for RPP by using modular and platform-based techniques. Mathematical models and graph-based representation models are proposed to describe the reconfigurable process plan at two granularity levels. Based on the representation models, the generation methods and algorithms are then developed for RPP. In addition, a global framework is proposed to describe how the proposed RPP models and methods work together to handle the product/part variety and manufacturing dynamics. To test the feasibility of the proposed models and methods, a gear pump family and an oil pump body family are used as illustrative examples throughout this thesis.