Computer aided process planning of machined metal parts

Although process planning is more of an art than a science today, its automation is both possible and feasible. Variant computer aided systems exist and can be applied now. These systems should not have a great effect upon organizational structure. Generalized generative process planning does not exist and probably will not in the near future. However, several special purpose generative systems are available in experimental form. The capabilities of these systems must be planned during the design by a judicious choice of approaches and properties to solve the process planning problem. Currently, generative systems should be designed for a specific plant or for specific processes. A generative system, if employed, must be considered in the overall scope of computer integrated manufacturing as it needs data existing in other data bases and it has potential organizational impact.