Process plans decision-making based on BP neural network and Genetic Algorithm

In order to improve intellectuality and performability of computer-aided process planning system, the status and capability of manufacturing resource in the job-shop should be considered, and the sequencing decision of process plans should be realized under the relevant constraints. In this paper, BP neural network was applied to select the manufacturing resources in the process of generating process plans. During sequencing process routes, the choices of the manufacturing operations, machines and cutters were decided at the same time, then the optimization decision for process plans was obtained by the operators of genetic algorithm, such as duplication, crossover and variation. The results showed that the selection of manufacturing resources and the optimization decision of process plans were implemented effectively by BP neural network and genetic algorithm, the optimal or sub-optimal process plan satisfied the production requirements was obtained. Based on an illustrative example, the process of selecting the interrelated machines and deciding the operations sequence was described in detail.