Enhanced functions supporting process planning for aircraft structural parts

Aiming at automating the different trades intervening in mechanical parts´ design activities, one finds the weakest link within the interface linking the computer aided-design trade (CAD) and the process planning trade (CAPP) where a huge semantic gap is detected. Works generally tends to optimize the pre-process planning trade (design/CAD) and post-process planning trade (machining/CAM). So as to bridge in between CAD and CAPP we present at first support functions that helps a process planner setting a process plan for an aircraft structural part. The proposed functions will be forwarded in the same order the planner questions himself during his first analysis. Each function is justified by presenting the need behind. We end up on the benefits of having such an assistance tool as we mention the future perspectives of our works