Computer Aided Process Planning (Capp)

Early attempts to automate process planning consisted primarily of building computer assisted system for report generation, storage & retrieval of plans. A database system with a standard form editor is what many early systems encompassed. Formatting of the plans was performed automatically by the system. Process planners simply filled in the details. The storage and retrieval of plans are based on part numbers, part name or project ID. When used effectively these systems can save up to 40% of process planner's time. A typical example can be found in Lockheed's CAPP system.

Such a system can by no means perform the process planning tasks; it helps in reducing the clerical work to be done by the process planner. Perhaps the one of the earliest, best known automated process planning system is CAM-I (Computer Aided Manufacturing-International). In this system previously prepared process plans are stored in a database. When a new component is planned, a process plan for a similar component is retrieved and subsequently modified by the process planner to satisfy the special requirements. This technique is known as group technology (GT) based retrieval or variant planning.