Optimal selection of machinable volumes

A brief review of the process planning literature is provided. One of the basic issues in process planning is the feature recognition. In the paper rather than representing a part with features, the representation using machinable volumes is emphasized. A model for the selection of machinable volumes with minimum corresponding machining costs, fixture and tool utilization costs is formulated. The model is illustrated with a numerical example. Computational results for five existing parts are presented.