A prototype solid-modeling-based automated process planning system

This paper presents a prototype solid modeling-based automated process planning system. In this system a three dimensional (3D) finished part is built by using a solid modeling package. The solid primitives (cylinder, cone, block, wedge, sphere, and torus) are used to define the removal volume. The process plan is then generated based on the recognized solid primitives and production rules. This research was implemented on a PC platform. The CAD interfaces for this system were developed by using the AutoCAD Advanced Modeling Extension (AME) software. The solid primitives recognition program was written in the C language and embedded in an expert system program developed by using the CLIPS software.