System and method for computer-aided manufacturing planning, medium for storing a data output program and storage device for use in the system

摘要

In a CAD/CAM environment, a computer-aided manufacture designing system designs the manufacturing data representing the machining operations, in each of a plurality of working processes, needed to manufacture a desired new product such as a die set for producing a part. After designing the desired product, a CAD function generates shape data, SA3, for each of the machining portions of the blank. Characteristic quantity data, necessary for the machining operations to be performed (fig. 6), is then prepared, SA4. These characteristic quantities are compared with those of already designed products, stored in an external memory (30, fig. 2). SA5 and, if an equal or similar characteristic quantity data is found, its manufacturing data, also stored, is utilised to generate the manufacturing data of the desired product, SA6, thus saving time and operator effort; otherwise this manufacturing data is generated manually, SA8. The manufacturing data can be optimized by changing shape data, SA10, or working processes, SA11; simulation can be used in the optimization process (fig. 18).