A decision support system for sheet metal blanking process parameters selection

Once manufacturing criteria have been established, a well-founded decision support system (DSS) may solve the problem of selecting the optimum set of parameters. An axiomatic approach has been used in order to quantify final part quality. The present case takes into account form errors in blanking process and an equation model that enables quality quantification through part complexity has been developed. The measurement of complexity in blanked parts may be simplified to a study of the effect of the fundamental parameter (clearance) on the form errors. In order to consider economic influences, technical cost modelling (TCM) has been implemented. With the purpose of uniting both aspects under one common criterion, a function that evaluates them in a single measuring system has been defined. Based on this function, the developed DSS integrates a formal multi-attribute decision model with a relational database. The decision model enables representation of the user’s preferences as regards decision factors. Due to the great number of parameters and variables that intervene in the system, a computerised graphical interface application has been developed allowing decision makers to compare, justify and evaluate different alternatives in a friendly environment.