A case-based computer-aided process-planning system for machining prismatic components

This article deals with a process-planning system that uses case-based reasoning methodology. Briefly, case-based reasoning is an intelligent problem-solving technique which works by searching through a database for previously solved problems for one or more cases whose identifying features closely resemble the current problem. The case-based reasoning system used in this article to develop a process plan, typically consists of three modules, i.e. the part input and representation module, the case retrieval, and case adoption module. In this paper, new approaches have been proposed in all three modules. By incorporating a multiparametric and absolute-matching technique, the case retrieval module especially has become more powerful. A practical approach has been suggested in this research to compute the similarity between part input and case. An illustrative example is included to demonstrate the proposed system.