Knowledge Representation and Reasoning Techniques for Process Planning: Extending SIPS to do Tool Selection

SIPS (Semi -Intelligent Process Selector) originally developed to use A I tcchniqurs for generative process select.ion. SIPS cousiclers a metal part to be a collection of machinable features-and for carh f m t r r r r , i t generates a sequence of machining process to use in creating that feature. I t does this by reaso~~iug about the intrinsic capaldities of each manufacturing operation. SIPS is being extended to do llandle ohher process planning taqks. This paper gives nn overvietv of SIPS, ant i tlescriiws recent rxt.rnsions (rtlich ennlde SIPS not only t.o do process selrction. Imt also to sc1rc.t rnt,tirlg tools ancl calcrtlnte process parameters srlch as feed rates and cutting speetls.