About the Part Machining Process Plan
To define the part machining process plan, the process planner uses:
• Legacy data from previously completed plans.
Existing Manufacturing data may be used as a layout skeleton. Often sections of a preexisting plan are used in the current definition. The planner can place text from existing third party data by cutting and pasting the appropriate sections of an old plan, using UDFs from other Manufacturing or Manufacturing Process Planning for MFG models, or by usingCreo TOOLKIT functionality.
• Workpiece geometry as a start condition.
The workpiece represents any form of raw stock; bar stock, casting, and so on that is going to be machined during manufacturing operations. It may easily be created by copying the design model and modifying the dimensions or deleting/suppressing features to represent the real workpiece. The benefits of using a workpiece include:
◦ Automatic definition of extents of machining when creating manufacturing sequences.
◦ Dynamic material removal simulation and gouge checking in Manufacturing.
◦ In-process documentation by capturing removed material.
The workpiece geometry serves as a start condition for the part machining process plan. The engineer knows that by using some manufacturing techniques the start part can be transformed into a finished part. The workpiece, at various stages of machining, also defines the design and configuration of the fixture.
• Design model as an end condition.
The design model represents the machining target. The design part also has the surface finish, dimensions, and tolerances defined. No matter what approach the process planner takes in getting from workpiece geometry to finished geometry, the process goal is to achieve these surface finish, dimensions, and tolerances.
• A basic understanding of the available processing equipment; such as tools, holders, fixtures, and work centers.