Energy and Cost Efficiency in CNC Machining from a Process Planning Perspective

摘要

The role of process planning as an enabler for cost efficient and environmentally benign CNC machining is investigated in the paper. Specific energy is used as the principal indicator of energy efficient machining and different methods to calculate and estimate the specific energy is exemplified and discussed. The interrelation between process planning decisions and production outcome is sketched and how process capability can be considered as one factor of green machining is assessed. A correlation between total machining cost and total energy use is presented for an experimental machining case. A general conclusion is that in order to be able to draw general conclusions, the importance of having reliable data during process planning to make effective decisions is essential.