Computer aided set up planning for turning parts

The goal of process planning is to convert design specifications into manufacturing instructions to make products within the specifications at the lowest cost. In turned parts, most blank parts need two or more machining operation to be shaped into final part. In this regard, many questions such as clamping methodology, clamping surfaces positions, machining operation sequencing, and the jobs which should be performed in each operation (setup) are to be answered. Thus, setup planning is considered as an essential part of novel CAPP systems. The developed system determines the possible set-up combinations that are able to finish the part as well as the order of each set-up and surfaces to be used in each setup. This system uses heuristic methods and structures. Finally, an example part is considered to illustrate conveniently the methodology and its effectiveness in real cases.