An Architecture of Component - Based CAPP Systems for Agile Manufacturing

Chun Zhang, Florida State University
Shaw Feng, National Institute of Standards and Technology
Steven R. Ray, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Abstract

The current manufacturing planning software systems (such as computer aided process planning (CAPP) systems) are general and in a closed form, i.e., it is very difficult to modify these systems to respond to a user's dynamically changing needs. These systems are no longer suitable for agile manufacturing. This research work aims at developing an architecture for rapid development of CAPP systems. The architecture supports the construction of CAPP systems from prepackaged, plug-compatible software components. The specifications of the architecture and its building blocks are defined. A prototype system is under development to prove the concept.