A Novel Approach for Process Planning Using Polychromatic Sets and Fuzzy Sets

Process planning is a task that determines the detailed manufacturing steps for transforming a raw material into a completed part, by utilizing the available machining resources. It involves multiple decision-making activities, such as operation-type selection, operation-method (machine, tool, and tool approach direction) selection, and operations sequencing. This study aims to developing an approach for process planning based on polychromatic sets and fuzzy sets. A complete flow and model is established for processing method seeking, processing route generation, and optimal route selection. The verification, grounding on a true model, is performed for the proposed model to prove the well practicability of this method.