New Approach for the Integration of CAD/CAPP/CAM Systems for Bearings Manufacturing

Abstract

Due to the high potential of improving efficiency and productivity in a competitive and challenging industrial environment, the automation and integration of CAD, CAPP and CAM have been under discussion and research since the beginning of their existence. Even so, diverse systems have evolved on distinct levels, CAD and CAM systems have been intensively developed and implemented as dedicated tools for their specific served functions and CAPP systems are still under research for development of applicable solutions in industry. This paper proposes an original approach for the integration of CAD with CAPP and CAM by the development of a complete knowledge-based system for automatic generation of product design data and process planning data of bearings. Through the work presented in this paper, a prototype of a complete knowledge-based system has been realized by developing a new process planning module integrated with an already existing module for product design data generation. Furthermore, the system has been integrated with an existing commercial CAM system for the generation of NC simulations and NC programs. The application of the proposed solution was verified by a case study for turning process of the outer rings for large-size single row cylindrical roller bearings. The time for realization of the process plans using this approach has been radically decreased compared with the manual approach, generating cost savings and shorter time to market. The presented solution can be further extended and developed for all the processes required for bearings manufacturing.