Automated Generation of Uniform Group Technology Part Codes from Solid Model Data

摘要

Group Technology is a manufacturing theory based on the identification of similar parts and the subsequent grouping of these parts to enhance the manufacturing process. Part classification and coding systems group parts into families based on design and manufacturing attributes. Traditionally, humans code parts by examining a blueprint of the part to find important features as defined in a set of part classification rules. This process can be difficult and time consuming due to the complexity of the classification system. Coding specifications can require considerable interpretation, making consistency a problem for organizations employing many (human) part coders. A solution to these problems is to automate the part coding process in software, using a CAD database as input. It is straightforward to translate the part classification rules into a rule based expert system. A more difficult task is the recognition of part coding features from a CAD database. Previous research in feature recognition has concentrated on material removal features (depressions such as holes, pockets and slots). Part classification requires the ability to recognize such features, plus other features such as hole patterns, symmetries and overall part shape. This paper extends feature recognition to include part classification and coding features and describes an expert system for automated part classification and coding being developed. This system accepts boundary-representation solid model data and generates a part code. Specific feature recognition problems (such as intersecting features) and the methods developed to solve these problems are presented. (ERA citation 13:034487)