System, method, and article of manufacture for determining a process plan for forming features in a part

A system for determining a process plan for forming at least one feature in a part, comprising:

• a CAD database storing a CAD model of a part;
• and
• a computer operably coupled to the CAD database, the computer configured to automatically identify first and second features to be formed in the part by accessing first and second feature parameter data, respectively, stored in the CAD model of the part, the computer further configured to display a plurality of manufacturing task identifiers in a first menu on a display device, the plurality of manufacturing task identifiers being stored in one or more databases, the computer further configured to allow selection of at least a first manufacturing task identifier from the plurality of manufacturing task identifiers utilizing the first menu, the first manufacturing task identifier being associated with a first manufacturing task for forming the first and second features in the part, the computer further configured to display a plurality of machine identifiers in a second menu on the display device, the plurality of machine identifiers being stored in one or more databases, the computer further configured to allow selection of a first machine identifier from the plurality of machine identifiers utilizing the second menu, the first machine identifier being associated with a first machine for performing at least the first manufacturing task, the computer further configured to determine the first process plan for performing at least the first manufacturing task utilizing the first machine identifier and the first manufacturing task identifier, the computer further configured to store the first process plan in one or more databases.

An article of manufacture, comprising:

• a computer storage medium having a computer program encoded therein for determining a process plan for forming at least one feature in a part, the computer storage medium comprising:
• code for automatically identifying first and second features to be formed in the part by accessing first and second feature parameter data, respectively, stored in a CAD model of the part;
• code for displaying a plurality of manufacturing task identifiers in a first menu on a display device, the plurality of manufacturing task identifiers being stored in one or more databases;
• code for allowing selection of at least a first manufacturing task identifier from the plurality of manufacturing task identifiers utilizing the first menu, the first manufacturing task identifier being associated with a first manufacturing task for forming the first and second features in the part;
• code for displaying a plurality of machine identifiers in a second menu on the display device, the plurality of machine identifiers being stored in one or more databases;
• code for allowing selection of a first machine identifier from the plurality of machine identifiers utilizing the second menu, the first machine identifier being associated with a first machine for performing at least the first manufacturing task;
• code for determining a first process plan for performing at least the first manufacturing task utilizing the first manufacturing task identifier and the first machine identifier and;
• code for storing the first process plan in one or more databases.

A method for determining a process plan for forming at least one feature in a part, comprising:

• automatically identifying first and second features to be formed in the part by accessing first and second feature parameter data, respectively, stored in a CAD model of the part;
• selecting at least a first manufacturing task identifier associated with a first manufacturing task for forming the first and second features in the part, the first manufacturing task identifier being selected from a plurality of manufacturing task identifiers stored in one or more databases;
• selecting a first machine identifier associated with a first machine for performing at least the first manufacturing task, the first machine identifier being selected from a plurality of machine identifiers stored in one or more databases;
• determining a first process plan for performing at least the first manufacturing task utilizing the first machine identifier and storing the first process plan in one or more databases;
• selecting a first tool identifier associated with a first tool for the first machine to perform at least the first manufacturing task, the first tool identifier being selected from a plurality of tool identifiers stored in one or more databases;
• defining a first tool travel profile for the first machine to perform the first manufacturing task, the first tool travel profile comprising a first plurality of travel path segments;
• automatically calculating a first time period for the first machine to form the first and second features in the part based on the first plurality of travel path segments;
• and
• storing the first time period in one or more databases.