Prediction and reduction of process times for the PC-based computer numerically Tcontrolled drilling machine

Time is an important factor to consider in any manufacturing process and is related to the cost of the product. Thus, this paper presents an approximate method of predicting process times for the PC-based computer numerically controlled (CNC) drilling machine developed in-house. The paper presents a model for the process time components for the PC-based CNC drilling machine, which includes the movement of workpiece times and the actual drilling time. The process times for drilling different parts were predicted and compared with the actual times taken. The results obtained show that the drilling prediction times presented in this paper are very close to the actual times taken. The paper also shows that inclusion of a neuro-optimizer for sequencing a large number of points to be drilled could reduce the drilling time of operations. The prediction model is a useful tool for operations managers and manufacturing engineers in anticipating production times of products where drilling is involved.