Reconfigurable two-level process planning method for special steel manufacturing

In this paper, the essence and nature of the process planning for special steel industries (SSI) is analysed, and based on products characteristics, customer requirements, dynamic features of equipment capabilities and the distinction of the production process for SSI, a two-level process planning frame for SSI is established. This frame widely reflects the flexibility of the production process design for SSI. A multiple variables and constraints model for multi-process routes configuration and reconfiguration with the least cost and the minimum waiting time was constructed, and this strategy supports the rapid reconfiguration and optimization of dynamic process planning for SSI.