A semi-automated approach to support process planner during sequencing of pallet operations on 4-axes machine tools

Process planning is an important and time-consuming activity that highly depends on the experience of process planners. In order to reduce the required time and to support the planner, CAPP systems are getting central feature of setup planning, operation sequencing and pallet configuration. This paper fits in CAPP approach for the definition of the operations optimal sequence to machine all workpieces mounted on a pallet on a 4-axes machine tool. An algorithm and a mathematical model yield a user-friendly, quick and repeatable method for the definition of the operations sequence on the basis of a non-productive times minimization criteria. Three post-processors analyze the proposed solution to reduce the gap from optimality. A real test case is presented.