To achieve a satisfying result there is a good plan prepared before to do a job. This theory obviously applied in the manufacturing field. The term for planning usually called process planning, but it has some other name such as manufacturing planning, material processing, process engineering, and machine routing. Process planning needed to prepare detailed work instruction to produce a part, which is very important for the workers. There are some topics that will be discussed here. First, the steps of process planning. Second, part features identification and process selection. Third, process planning classification.
In making process planning, a process planner has some steps to create a good plan. Before that, they must be familiar with the manufacturing process and practice, tooling and fixtures, and raw materials. Also, they must be able to interpret an engineering drawing, do a computation on machining time and cost, and know how to use the reference books. The first step is studying the overall shape of the part to determine the type of workstation needed. Second, study the drawing thoroughly to identify every manufacturing features and notes. Third, determine the best raw material shape when raw stock is not given. Fourth, identify the datum surface to determine the setup. Fifth, determine the rough sequence of operations for each setup. Sixth, sequence the operations determined in the previous step. Seventh, select tools for each operation. If it is possible, use the same tool for several operations to reduce the time setup. Eighth, select or design fixtures for each setup. Ninth, evaluate the plan generate thus far and make necessary modifications. Tenth, select cutting parameters for each operation. Finally, prepare the final process plan document so that the workers can easily do the operation.
In the manufacturing process, there are many processes that can be used to produce a product. Some of those processes are casting, forming, shaping, machining, joining, and finishing. In selecting the right process, there are some features that must be considered such as part features, required dimensional, geometric accuracy, tolerance, surface finish, available resources, NC machine, cutting tools, and cost. Part features divided into two types, which are basic features and compound features. The basic feature has simple forms that require only one machining operation such as holes, slots, pockets, shoulders, profiles, and angels. The compound feature consists of two or more basic part features. For example, a combined result of two holes with different diameters.
Process planning itself classified into three types, which are manual, computer-aided, and automation. In manual process planning, the process planner must master the process planning because it directly uses human logical thinking. The second type, computer-aided, has some advantages compared to the manual type. Those advantages are reducing the skill required of a planner, reducing the process planning time and manufacturing cost, creating more consistent plans, producing more accurate plans, and increasing productivity. Then, the reason for applying the third type, automated planning, is shortening the lead-time, lowering the production cost, and getting manufacturability feedback. Automation also applied because it can make the process plan become.
In conclusion, the process planning goal is to translate the design become some processes so that the product can be produced. It is very important because besides it will affect the whole company if the plan does not work. It is guidance for a worker to produce the product. Once the worker did a mistake because of the wrong plan, the product will not meet its requirements. Automatically, the company cannot reach the goal and must spend more money to fix the problem. That is why the process planner should mater the field or has a strong related background.
Fani Fafas Tafia 