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As most existing computer‐aided design systems do not provide part feature information which is essential for process planning, automatic part feature recognition systems serve as an important link between Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Process Planning (CAPP). Attempts to provide a structural framework for understanding various issues related to part feature recognition. Reviews previous work in the field of part feature recognition and classifies known feature recognition systems for the sake of updating information and future research. Briefly introduces about 12 systems. Studies 31 systems and lists them in the Appendix based on 60 references. Comments on future research directions.

The case for Computer Aided Process Planning in small and medium sized batch manufacturing organisations is described. Current implementation options are detailed together with likely realisable benefits. The procedural methodology being used by the authors in a manufacturing organisation is outlined.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Presents a description of an automated manufacturing process planning (AMPP) system developed by the US Army Missile Command (MICOM) at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, that integrates computer aided design, computer aided process planning and computer aided manufacturing systems. The AMPP system automatically generates process plans and numerical control code to fabricate turned cylindrical parts. The AMPP system is available for demonstration at the AIDT Alabama Center for Advanced Technology Transfer (ACATT) in Huntsville.

Computer aided process planning (CAPP) is generally acknowledged as a significant activity to achieve computer‐integrated manufacturing (CIM). In coping with the dynamic changes in the modern manufacturing environment, the awareness of developing intelligent CAPP systems has to be raised, in an attempt to generate more successful implementations of intelligent manufacturing systems. In this paper, the architecture of a hybrid intelligent inference model for implementing the intelligent CAPP system is developed. The detailed structure for such a model is also constructed. The establishment of the hybrid intelligent inference model will enable the CAPP system to adapt automatically to the dynamic manufacturing environment, with a view to the ultimate realization of full implementation of intelligent manufacturing systems in enterprises.

International competition is driving manufacturing executives to place an ever‐growing importance on the formulation of computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) strategies as part of their corporate plans. Structured analysis and design techniques, in particular IDEF (Integrated Computer Aided Manufacturing definition method), are becoming a vital tool in the analysis and implementation of such CIM strategies. This article positively demonstrates the technique and its ability to model the link between design and manufacture in a CIM environment. The approach relates interdependencies of planning for manufacture, design and process planning within a CIM strategy. In particular it establishes the position of computer aided process planning (CAPP) in CIM architecture and evaluates a CAPP package as a potential element of a CIM strategy. The application to which IDEFo, in particular, has been used clearly demonstrates its usefulness to manufacturers as a powerful aid to the development of detailed CIM strategies.

Concurrent design and manufacturing is widely accepted as essential for obtaining an economically conceivable design solution for industrial production. Nevertheless the development of a viable computer‐aided inspection planning (CAIP) using CAD as input for effective NC‐measuring data preparation has not yet been successful. This paper introduces an approach to direct integration between CAD and CAIP by developing a feature‐based computer aided design/inspection planning (FB‐CAIP) system. The FB‐CAIP system contains a computer‐internal model of a product that contains sufficient information to guide the direct generation of NC code of the inspection activity. The developed small prototype system integrates knowledge‐based inspection planning with feature‐based CAD system for an automatic CNC measuring program generation of prismatic parts.

Reports on the computer‐aided design (CAD) upgrade implementation process at PBR Automotive Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia. Views the implementation as successful since many of the desired outcomes have been achieved or surpassed. The key success factors were detailed planning, user involvement and vendor support. These combined to create an atmosphere of excitement in the project and success. Reports on the future plans that include the development of an integrated information system at PBR which will involve customers and suppliers in addition to internal personnel. The CAD system upgrade serves as a launching board for the development of such a system.

During recent decades, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) from computer science, psychology and linguistics has created a great impact on the design and implementation of process planning systems. This article provides a review of the state‐of‐the‐art AI‐based automated process planning systems. A generalised framework for expert process planning systems is proposed and prospective research issues are discussed.

Large investments in information technology (IT) and information systems (IS) have increased the need for effective IS/IT strategic planning (ISSP). As e‐business strategies have received growing attention from industrial managers, IS/IT strategic planning is now considered critical in developing a successful e‐strategy. However, despite the extensive literature on ISSP, the determinants of the quality of the ISSP process have seldom been examined. This study investigates the effects of organizational factors on the quality of the ISSP process. Data were collected using a questionnaire sent to the IS directors of 827 large companies in Taiwan and 239 usable responses were received. Survey results indicate that organizational context‐related factors influence the quality of the ISSP process. This study also discusses implications for IS practice and directions for future research.