Abstract
This paper presents an overview of the authors’ rooted tree technique for process planning. The overview provides the foundation for the main part of the paper, which explains how the rooted tree can be used to develop efficiency measures of process plans. The efficiency measures are determined by comparing an actual tree and its subgraphs with an “ideal” tree. The “ideal tree” is one that minimises the number of manufacturing operations. The paper proves that the “ideal tree” is a directed design dimension graph plus one operation. Three measures of efficiency are presented: finishing efficiency, pre-forming efficiency, and overall efficiency. The practical value of the efficiency measures is demonstrated by presenting measures of plans for four industrial parts. It is also argued that the efficiency measures provide a quantitative assessment of process plans that can be used to improve them and manufacturing technology.
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