Automatic Machining Setup Generation for Prismatic Components

Abstract

Computer aided process planning is the bridge between CAD and CAM. Setup planning is the major key to transform design concept into manufacturing domain, which is mainly experience based activity in modern manufacturing industry. Setup planning is a complicated non-linear task constrained by many factors such as tool approach direction, geometric feature relationship, fixturing constraint, tolerance requirement and manufacturing practice. Setup planning identifies which features must be machined in each setup and determines locating datum for each setup. This paper focuses on the development of a formalized procedure for automatic generation of feasible setups. For preventing of tolerance stack-up tried to use datum face as reference plane in fixture design. So, this paper presents a new method for setup planning with accurate respect to datum faces in design and machining. For the proposed work the authors have introduced two concepts namely, inferiority face and control face. A rule-based procedure in several steps is used for solving the problem. The system is developed in Visual Basic on a Solid Works platform. Trial runs with industrial parts indicate that the system is applicable for industrial use.