Generating and evaluation of manufacturing process models

Conventionally, geometric and assembly models are created in CAD/CAM systems for application in finite element analysis and tool cycle generation. In recent years, approaches to comprehensive product models have emerged. Moreover, application based product models are defined using appropriate model description languages. Present day open architecture CAD/CAM systems offer software tools for creating user defined model entities. The authors studied manufacturing process models and procedures for creating their structures in advanced CAD/CAM environments. They proposed a Petri net as a representation of manufacturing process model objects in their earlier publications. The proposed manufacturing process model fits into proven product model concepts. The generic model is evaluated in the course of manufacturing process planning. This paper outlines and discusses procedures for creating and evaluating manufacturing process model entities. Firstly, characteristics of the proposed manufacturing process model from the point of view of model creation and evaluation procedures are presented. Objectives of the research work are emphasized and some relevant earlier works of other researchers and the authors are cited. Following this, basic stages of manufacturing task definition based creation and evaluation of manufacturing process model entities are explained. Typical decisions during the evaluation of the model and interconnections between model entities are discussed. Finally, possible applications of the proposed model and modeling procedures are demonstrated