Cost Estimation for Process Selection

Abstract

Abstract In selecting a process to make a given component, it is first necessary to screen available processes to find those which can make the desired shape from the desired material with the desired precision and finish. Commonly, many processes survive this screening, and it is then desirable to rank them approximately so that the most promising are explored first. The natural criterion for ranking is that of relative cost. This paper describes an approximate relative cost model, applicable to all processes, designed to give this approximate ranking. It is based on summing the costs of material, energy, time, capital and other resources. The values for equipment cost, tooling cost and production rate depend on component size and complexity. Approximate scaling methods are used to include these dependencies. The model has been implemented in a Process Selector (the CPS) and fills its intended function adequately.