Computer-aided assembly process planning with resource assignment

In process planning, after deciding on an assembly operation sequence, a planner assigns resources to assembly operations, taking account of the cost and cycle time. To support this step, a relational model is proposed. Propositional logic expressions are introduced that represent the sequence of operations, resources for operations, and resource management. These expressions are generated by using the relational model. Resources are allocated to operations by using an assumption-based truth maintenance system (ATMS) with the generated logic expressions. Process plans generated by the ATMS are evaluated by a production line simulator. A planner can then select a good plan on the basis of the simulation results