Study on Supporting System for Process Planning in Machining (2nd Report)

Generation of Drilling Path Using an Algorithm of Traveling Salesman Problem

Abstract

In machining of the products in which a large number of cutting tools and machining processes are required, the factors relating to productivity such as machining time, machining cost and power consumption vary by sequence of machining. To develop the supporting system for process design including above factors in machining with machining center, a supporting system using algorithm of shortest path problem was proposed in previous report. In the system, various functions such as prevention of the geometrical interference between the tool and workpiece, prevention of sequence of machining in which previous machining is invalidated and integration of processes performed using a same tool are considered. In this report, by using an algorithm of traveling salesman problem, an analysis of a shortest path for drilling of workpiece with a lot of holes is enabled. From the comparison of analytical result and results designed by machine operator, it is confirmed that the analytical result is valid.