Process planning represents the link between engineering design and shop floor manufacturing. More specifically, it is the function within a manufacturing facility that establishes the processes and process parameters to be used in order to convert a piece-part from its original form to a final form | Zhang Y. F. et al Application of Genetic Algorithms and Simulated Annealing in Process . Computational Intelligence in Manufacturing Handbook Edited by Jun Wang et al Boca Raton CRC Press LLC 2001 9 Application of Genetic Algorithms and Simulated Annealing in Process Planning Optimization Introduction Modeling Process Planning Problems in an Optimization Perspective Y. F. Zhang National University of Singapore Applying a Genetic Algorithm to the Process Planning Problem Applying Simulated Annealing to the Process Planning Problem A. Y. C. Nee Comparison between the GA and the SA Algorithm National University of Singapore Conclusions Introduction Process planning represents the link between engineering design and shop floor manufacturing. More specifically it is the function within a manufacturing facility that establishes the processes and process parameters to be used in order to convert a piece-part from its original form to a final form that is specified on a detailed engineering drawing. For machining process planning includes determination of the specific operations required and their sequence which include tooling fixturing and inspection equipment. In some cases the selection of depth of cut feed rate and cutting speed for each cut of each operation is also included in the process planning for a part. Due to the advent of computer technology and great market need for short production lead time there has been a general demand for computer-aided process planning CAPP systems to assist human planners and achieve the integration of computer-aided design CAD and computer-aided manufacturing CAM . Moreover the emerging product design practice employing the design for manufacturing DFM philosophy also needs a CAPP system to generate the best process plan for a given part for manufacturing evaluation. In general a CAPP system is required to be able to provide the following supporting roles to design and manufacturing 1. Capable of .
