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Novel dynamic CAPP system for hybrid additive–subtractive–inspection process

Osama Abdulhameed (Princess Fatima Alnijiris’s Research Chair for Advanced Manufacturing Technology (FARCAMT Chair), Advanced Manufacturing Institute, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Industrial Engineering Department, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
Abdurahman Mushabab Al-Ahmari (Princess Fatima Alnijiris’s Research Chair for Advanced Manufacturing Technology (FARCAMT Chair), Advanced Manufacturing Institute, King Saud University Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
Wadea Ameen (Princess Fatima Alnijiris’s Research Chair for Advanced Manufacturing Technology (FARCAMT Chair), Advanced Manufacturing Institute, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Industrial Engineering Department, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
Syed Hammad Mian (Princess Fatima Alnijiris’s Research Chair for Advanced Manufacturing Technology (FARCAMT Chair), Advanced Manufacturing Institute, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

Rapid Prototyping Journal

ISSN: 1355-2546

Article publication date: 28 September 2018

Issue publication date: 15 October 2018

376

Abstract

Purpose

Hybrid manufacturing technologies combining individual processes can be recognized as one of the most cogent developments in recent times. As a result of integrating additive, subtractive and inspection processes within a single system, the relative benefits of each process can be exploited. This collaboration uses the strength of the individual processes, while decreasing the shortcomings and broadening the application areas. Notwithstanding its numerous advantages, the implementation of hybrid technology is typically affected by the limited process planning methods. The process planning methods proficient at effectively using manufacturing sources for hybridization are notably restrictive. Hence, this paper aims to propose a computer-aided process planning system for hybrid additive, subtractive and inspection processes. A dynamic process plan has been developed, wherein an online process control with intelligent and autonomous characteristics, as well as the feedback from the inspection, is utilized.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, a computer-aided process planning system for hybrid additive, subtractive and inspection process has been proposed. A framework based on the integration of three phases has been designed and implemented. The first phase has been developed for the generation of alternative plans or different scenarios depending on machining parameters, the amount of material to be added and removed in additive and subtractive manufacturing, etc. The primary objective in this phase has been to conduct set-up planning, process selection, process sequencing, selection of machine parameters, etc. The second phase is aimed at the identification of the optimum scenario or plan.

Findings

To accomplish this goal, economic models for additive and subtractive manufacturing were used. The objective of the third phase was to generate a dynamic process plan depending on the inspection feedback. For this purpose, a multi-agent system has been used. The multi-agent system has been used to achieve intelligence and autonomy of different phases.

Practical implications

A case study has been developed to test and validate the proposed algorithm and establish the performance of the proposed system.

Originality/value

The major contribution of this work is the novel dynamic computer-aided process planning system for the hybrid process. This hybrid process is not limited by the shortcomings of the constituent processes in terms of tool accessibility and support volume. It has been established that the hybrid process together with an appropriate computer-aided process plan provides an effective solution to accurately fabricate a variety of complex parts.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University, through Vice Deanship of Scientific Research Chairs.

Citation

Abdulhameed, O., Al-Ahmari, A.M., Ameen, W. and Mian, S.H. (2018), "Novel dynamic CAPP system for hybrid additive–subtractive–inspection process", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 24 No. 6, pp. 988-1002. https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-11-2017-0239

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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