Customization of a Micro Process Planning System for an Actual Machine Tool Based on Updating a Machining Database and Generating a Database Oriented Planning Algorithm

To generate optimal machining information, an automatically customizable micro process planning system that reflects the change of properties of an actual machine tool is proposed. The system consists of an updatable machining database and a database oriented micro process planning algorithm. A machining database is updated based on analyzing NC data that are adaptively generated for an actual machine tool by skilled process planners. From the updated machining database, a database oriented micro process planning algorithm is generated by a decision tree and a regression tree. Machining strategy and cutting tools are determined using IF-THEN rules that are generated from the database by decision tree method. Cutting conditions were determined from a feasible regression equation. Regression equations and selection rules of these equations were generated from the database by regression tree method. The example of micro process planning using the generated algorithm is also shown.