This paper presents a method for automated manufacturing process selection during conceptual design. It is helpful to know which manufacturing processes can produce a design at an early stage, when the overall design can be changed for less cost. Early during new product development, geometric dimensions and tolerances may not yet be specified, but a general three-dimensional (3D) model is often under development. In this work, algorithms are presented to interrogate 3D models to calculate machining-based manufacturability metrics. These algorithms are used on a dataset of 86 computer-aided design (CAD) models classified as machined or cast-then-machined. The metrics, such as visibility, reachability, and setup orientations, seek to characterize a part's manufacturability using machining domain knowledge. These metrics serve as inputs to machine learning models, which are used to classify parts by manufacturing process with 86% accuracy. Some of the incorrectly classified parts were instances that had robust designs capable of being manufactured using machining or casting. The results of the machine learning models indicate that the machining metrics can be used to provide process selection feedback during conceptual design.
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March 2018
Research-Article
Automated Manufacturing Process Selection During Conceptual Design
Michael J. Hoefer,
Michael J. Hoefer
Industrial and Manufacturing
Systems Engineering,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011
e-mail: mjhoefer@gmail.com
Systems Engineering,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011
e-mail: mjhoefer@gmail.com
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Matthew C. Frank
Matthew C. Frank
Industrial and Manufacturing
Systems Engineering,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011
e-mail: mfrank@iastate.edu
Systems Engineering,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011
e-mail: mfrank@iastate.edu
Search for other works by this author on:
Michael J. Hoefer
Industrial and Manufacturing
Systems Engineering,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011
e-mail: mjhoefer@gmail.com
Systems Engineering,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011
e-mail: mjhoefer@gmail.com
Matthew C. Frank
Industrial and Manufacturing
Systems Engineering,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011
e-mail: mfrank@iastate.edu
Systems Engineering,
Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011
e-mail: mfrank@iastate.edu
Contributed by the Design for Manufacturing Committee of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL DESIGN. Manuscript received April 19, 2017; final manuscript received November 29, 2017; published online January 10, 2018. Assoc. Editor: Rikard Söderberg.
J. Mech. Des. Mar 2018, 140(3): 031701 (12 pages)
Published Online: January 10, 2018
Article history
Received:
April 19, 2017
Revised:
November 29, 2017
Citation
Hoefer, M. J., and Frank, M. C. (January 10, 2018). "Automated Manufacturing Process Selection During Conceptual Design." ASME. J. Mech. Des. March 2018; 140(3): 031701. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4038686
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