Process decision support device, process decision support method, and storage medium

A process decision support method that is implemented by a process decision support device that supports decision of a manufacturing process for manufacturing a product, the process decision support method comprising:

• reading machining performance data indicating machining performance of each of a plurality of machining devices including a machining device that deposits melted material to shape a three-dimensional object and a machining device that removes material;
• selecting, from among the plurality of machining devices, a machining device applicable to manufacture of the product with reference to the machining performance data, and sequencing and allocating machining steps performed by the machining device selected to generate a process pattern as a combination of the machining steps with which the product is manufacturable;
• calculating a time required to complete manufacturing the product according to the process pattern generated;
• calculating a cost required to complete manufacturing the product according to the process pattern generated;
• and
• outputting content of the process pattern generated, a total time for the process pattern and a total cost for the process pattern, and a result of time calculation for each of the machining steps in the process pattern and a result of cost calculation for each of the machining steps in the process pattern, wherein
• a plurality of process patterns are generated including a process pattern for both a machining device that deposits melted material and a machining device that removes material,
• a recommended rank is calculated and output for each of the plurality of process patterns based on a result of calculation by the time calculator and a result of calculation by the cost calculator,
• a weighting is set, that is based on a user input of a priority balance between time reduction and cost reduction in the decision of the manufacturing process,
• the recommended rank is calculated based on the result of calculation by the time calculator, the result of calculation by the cost calculator, and the weighting set, and
• the plurality of process patterns are displayed on a screen in order of the recommended rank.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing therein a process decision support program for causing a computer to function as a process decision support device that supports decision of a manufacturing process for manufacturing a product, the process decision support program causing the computer to execute:

• reading machining performance data indicating machining performance of each of a plurality of machining devices including a machining device that deposits melted material to shape a three-dimensional object and a machining device that removes material;
• selecting, from among the plurality of machining devices, a machining device applicable to manufacture of the product with reference to the machining performance data, and sequencing and allocating machining steps performed by the machining device selected to generate a process pattern as a combination of the machining steps with which the product is manufacturable;
• calculating a time required to complete manufacturing the product according to the process pattern generated;
• calculating a cost required to complete manufacturing the product according to the process pattern generated;
• and
• outputting content of the process pattern generated, a total time for the process pattern and a total cost for the process pattern, and a result of time calculation for each of the machining steps in the process pattern and a result of cost calculation for each of the machining steps in the process pattern, wherein
• a plurality of process patterns are generated including a process pattern for both a machining device that deposits melted material and a machining device that removes material,
• a recommended rank is calculated and output for each of the plurality of process patterns based on a result of calculation by the time calculator and a result of calculation by the cost calculator,
• a weighting is set, that is based on a user input of a priority balance between time reduction and cost reduction in the decision of the manufacturing process,
• the recommended rank is calculated based on the result of calculation by the time calculator, the result of calculation by the cost calculator, and the weighting set, and
• the plurality of process patterns are displayed on a screen in order of the recommended rank.