Need For CAPP

Process planning for drawing involves the determination of sequence of operations and the die design parameters which convert the raw material into the finished shape. Process Planning is quite involved as it has to take into account several complex factors such as material properties, lubrication between the die and work material, press rigidity, punch and die geometry, die material and processing methods. The quality of drawn products naturally depends on the experience, skill, knowledge and judgment of the die designer/methods engineer. Traditionally this task is done by human process planners/die designers having knowledge accumulated over years of experience. Manual process planning and tool design however, tend to be slow, subjective and sub optimal.

During the last decade, researchers have tried to develop CAPP systems for drawing. However compared to CAPP systems for machining, CAPP system for drawing are still in their infancy. Reported systems are often Semi-generative/Variant CAPP systems for specialized material, part and shop domains.

The architecture and working of a knowledge based CAPP system for deep drawing is presented in the sections to follow.