Title: A new approach for integrating process planning with scheduling

Authors: Weizhou Yang; Xun W. Xu

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand

Abstract: Integrated process planning with scheduling is a core activity in the manufacturing chain. Modern manufacturing processes require higher flexibility and capability of supporting distributed activities. In this paper, a novel STEP-NC Compliant Process Planning and Scheduling Algorithm (STEP-NCPPSA) is proposed to meet such requirements. The STEP-NCPPSA utilises STEP-NC compliant data models to represent the related manufacturing information. STEP-NCPPSA aims to achieve an Integrated, Intelligent, Informative and Interoperable (I4) manufacturing in a distributed manufacturing environment. Three phases, STEP-NC initial process planning, initial bidding, and Tree-based Genetic Algorithm optimisation are naturally integrated by the supporting STEP-NC concepts. STEP-NCPPSA is also capable of handling shop-floor information and re-process planning and scheduling to adapt to shop floor changes.

Keywords: integrated process planning; scheduling integration; STEP-NC; feature-based process planning; bidding algorithms; tree-based genetic algorithms; dynamic shopfloor changes; intelligent manufacturing; interoperability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.2011.045816

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 2011 Vol.42 No.4, pp.253 - 266

Published online: 12 Mar 2012 *

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