WORKPIECE MODELING FOR COMPUTER-AIDED PROCESS PLANNING

Different concepts can be applied for representation of workpiece data for CAPP. Instead of waiting for future standards, a practical method is required, which can be used for actual workpieces or those that have been designed in the past by using already existing CAD systems. Therefore, for developing the CAPP system an approach has been chosen which consists of (1) a structure and geometry recognition of the workpiece and (2) an editor for technological data. This paper shows the main characteristics of a workpiece model which can be used for process planning. The results of an analysis of workpieces in industry give an overview of the topological relationships between geometrical elements which is an essential part of workpiece modelling for future design and planning systems. Also, a link between the workpiece model and the CAPP system is presented and briefly discussed.