Intelligent Computer-aided Process Planning of Multi-axis CNC Tapping Machine

The increasing complexity of the manufacturing industry demands computer numerical control (CNC) machining, a massively used process that is equipped with an intelligent feature. Not only does its control function revitalize competition in a sustainable manufacturing ecosystem but also advances the Industry 4.0 readiness. This paper develops an intelligent computer-aided process planning (i-CAPP) based on two widely accepted performance measures: manufacturability and efficiency. Machine tapping is a very popular CNC machining process making threaded holes, from which there is an investigation of two manufacturability scenarios. The first scenario deals with all holes with the same size that undergo the same operation (OP). The second one handles the groups of holes with different sizes machined by various OPs. Meanwhile, the study of efficiency focuses on point-to-point drilling, tapping, and chamfering. This research work verifies such indicators by proposing hybrid-two-stage optimization algorithms: 1) traveling salesman problem and 2) innovative Tabu Search. The i-CAPP verification of both indicators was confirmed in an application with a five-axis CNC tapping machine to realize the Industry 4.0 readiness. Extensions of the research in the pursuit of higher intelligent manufacturing platforms are discussed.