Role of Process Planning in Cad/Cam Integration

With the emergence of CAD/CAM integration, the communication among design engineering and manufacturing engineering has become an extremely important consideration. Mostly firms are by using CAD techniques extensively to design their products; likewise, they are by using some of the CAM techniques, such like Computerised Numerical Control (CNC) machines, to produce products.

Process planning is a key factor in CAD/CAM integration because; it is the link between CAM & CAD. After engineering designs are communicated to developing, either on paper or electronic media, the process planning function modify the designs into instructions to be utilized to make the specified part. Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) may not be attain until this process is automated. Hence, automated process planning is the link between CAD & CAM.

It is as well known & discussed elsewhere that Group Technology (GT) is also a significant element in CAD/CAM integration. This gives a basis & a methodology for engineering design & manufacturing communications. Automated process planning gives a means to facilitate this communication and eliminate the "wall" among engineering design & manufacturing.