PROCESS SEQUENCE DETERMINATION FOR TOLERANCE CHARTING

Conventionally, the process sequence has to be known before the constr uction of the tolerance chart can begin. The determination of the proc ess sequence requires extensive knowledge and experience on the part o f the process planner. This paper describes a method of determining th e process sequence automatically using a special profile representatio n method. The method uses a two-dimensional matrix, incorporating a nu mber coding system, to model the part profile. A feature interpretatio n system is then developed to search and analyse the features using th e 'top-down' approach and to assign the appropriate processes to each of them individually. An example is used to illustrate the method.