Mapping Design to Manufacturing - a Case Study

Given the fact that current technology has created islands of automation, lack of integration is a major obstacle in the widespread use of CAD/CAM in routine engineering work. This paper presents a case study of integrating design with manufacturing. Design features in a CAD/CAM package have been investigated. Machining features as well as the cutting tools which can be used to produce the machining features are discussed and categorised. Feature mapping is then performed which establishes the links between design features and machining features, and between machining features and cutting tools. As a result, the task of process planning can be facilitated and a true integration of design with manufacturing can be realised.