An Automated Process Planning System for Blanking or Piercing of Irregular Shaped Sheet Metal Product with Bending Processes

굽힘공정을 갖는 불규칙형상 박판제품의 블랭킹 및 피어싱용 공정설계 시스템

This paper describes a research work of developing a computer-aided design of blanking and piercing for irregular-shaped sheet metal products. An approach to the CAD system is based on the knowledge-based rules. Knowledge for the CAD system is formulated from plasticity theories, experimental results and the empirical knowledge of field experts. The system has been written in AutoLISP on the AutoCAD with a personal computer and is composed of four main modules, which are input and shape treatment, flat pattern layout, production feasibility check, and strip layout module. Based on knowledge-based rules, the system is designed by considering several factors, such as radius and angle of bend. material and thickness of product, complexities of blank geometry and punch profile, and availability of press. This system is capable of unfolding a formed sheet metal part to give flat pattern and automatically account for the adjustment of bend allowances to match tooling requirements by checking the dimensions and relationships of parts of the folded product. Also this system can carry out a process planning which is obtained from results of irregular shape of product that was successful in production feasibility check module according to flat pattern layout and generate strip layout drawing in graphic forms. The developed system provides its efficiency for flat pattern layout, and strip layout for the irregularly shaped sheet metal products.