Integrated Process Planning for a Multiaxis Hybrid Manufacturing System

Abstract

A hybrid manufacturing system integrates computer numerical controlled (CNC) machining process and layered deposition process and achieves the benefits of both processes. An integrated process planning framework, which includes every module of the hybrid manufacturing process is critical for making the building of functional parts feasible and reliable. In this paper, the hybrid manufacturing system is introduced and the integrated process planning framework, which aims to automate the hybrid manufacturing is investigated. Critical components of the process planning, including decomposition of the computer-aided design (CAD) model, improvement of the toolpath generation pattern, and collision detection algorithms, are discussed. The interfacing and integrating process between deposition and surface finish machining is also studied. The goal of integrated process planning is to realize the automatic hybrid manufacturing process without much human interference. Experiments are implemented to validate the feasibility and reliability of the integrated process planning framework.