Strategy in Generative Planning of Turning Processes

This paper reports on the process and operations planning systcm KOL'ND and the strategies which underlie the decision making processes in the planning of turning operations. A t first, an outline is ziven about the environment for which generative systems like ROUND are being developed. Thc differences between high volume production and job shop production, with respect to flexibility and productivity, are designated. The impact of automation on job shop production and its consequences for process and operations planning are discussed. In small batch manufacturing svstems, relatively large amounts of process planning data have to be processed. sophisticated computer aided process planning tools. Because available XC part programing systems usually do not support the peneration of reliable and economic technological data,it is necessary to develop generativc process and operation planning systems. Due to the relative complexity of the technological models, generative systems usc a lot of computing power. Reduction of possible variants, combined with model refinement are techniques which are used in KOUIU. in order to avoid excessive iteration. This is illustrated by the explanation of strategies which are implemented in two newly developed modules: The clamping module WMIFIK and the module for selection of tools for the roughing operation KBDRTL. which leads to an increasing interest for