1、Automated cutting tool selection and cutting tool sequenceoptimisation for rotational partsAli Orala，* M. Cemal CakirMechanical Engineering Department, Uludag University, Bursa, TurkeyAbstract：The aim of this work is to define computer-aided optimum operation and tool sequences that are to be used i
2、n Generative Process Planning System developed for rotational parts. The software developed for this purpose has a modular structure. Cutting tools are selected automatically using the machinability data, workpiece feature information, machine tool data, workholding method and the set-up number. An
3、optimum tool sequence is characterised by a minimum number of tool changes and minimum tool travel time. Tool and operation sequence for minimum tool change are optimised with a developed optimisation method that is based on “Rank“Order Clustering2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Keywords: Comp
4、uter-aided process planning; Tool selection; Operation sequence; Tool sequence; Optimisation.1. IntroductionThe first step and one of the main objectives of a computer integrated manufacturing system is to integratethe computer-aided design (CAD) and computeraidedmanufacturing (CAM) components. The
5、total integration of these two components into a commonenvironment CAD/CAM is still under development.Many of the major developments have been uncoordinatedand there is a great deal of overlap in terms of their intended functions. For example, the present CAD/CAM systems have their strength in geome
6、tricaldefinition, i.e., CAD component and CAM is mostly limited to CNC programming. Other important intermediateelements such as process planning are not included. This is due to the fact that the numericalinformation generated by a CAD system is not sufficientfor process planning. Computer-aided pr
7、ocess planningsystems available in the market are incomplete andlimited when compared to the number of CAD andCAM systems available 1.Process planning is an activity, which determinesappropriate procedures to transform a raw material intofinal product. In manufacturing industry, the taskof process p
8、lanning mainly consists of determiningthe usage of available resources, such as machinetools, workholding devices, cutting tools, generation ofoperation sequence, determining machining parameters(i.e., cutting speed, feed rate, depth of cut) and selectionof auxiliary functions 2.The production cost
9、of a component depends uponcost of the workpiece material, tooling cost and overheadcosts. Generally, these costs associated withmachining a part are fixed; thus the only scope toreduce the overall cost of the part is to focus on thetooling cost. Selection of optimal tooling directly affectsthe part
10、 cost 1. In the view of the significant reductionsin cost that can be obtained by selecting the correctcutting tool and its associated optimum cutting conditions,it is considered that any selection system that doesnot take into account all of the relevant technologicalparameters has several limitati
11、ons 3. Production time isdefined as the machining time plus non-machining timeto machine a component. Determination of optimalsequence cutting tools on turret magazine of a CNCmachine tool is an important task for achievement ofoptimal machining sequences for reducing total nonmachiningtime 4.The ai
12、m of this work is to define computer-aidedoptimum operation and tool sequencing to be used inthe generative process planning system developed forrotational parts (GPPS-RotP).2. State-of-art of cutting tool selectionThe objectives of tool selection exercise are to selectthe best tool holder(s) and in
13、sert(s) from availablecutting tools database. In the past, the operator wouldselect the best tool set according to his experience, whichcannot be converted into logic or algorithmic rules. Thismethod is called as manual approach, which commonlyresults in errors and inconsistencies. Disadvantages ofm
14、anual approaches led to development of automatedapproaches that aimed to reduce the probability oferrors and inconsistencies. The correct choice of cuttingtools is determined by the overall part configuration,rather than by individual contour section or workpieces.Computer-aided tool selection syste
15、ms have been developedfor this purpose. Plummer and Hannam 5 tookworkpiece material and profile geometry into accountbut ignored selection of carbide grade, chipbreaker,cutting edge length, and nose radius. Giusti et al. 6developed the expert tool selection module for turningoperations. This module
16、depends heavily upon theexpertise of the operator for an efficient structuring ofthe rule-based approach. Chen et al.7 developed anautomatic tool selection system for rough turning on aCNC lathe. Selection is made from appropriate toollibrary employing a heuristic method in order to reducethe search time. Tool selection proced
