Automated calculation and design modeling in the value chain of progressive dies

The companies in the tool making industry are exposed to a high intensity of competition. To get customer orders, they have to prepare reliable quotes in a short time. The available rudimental and partially incomplete information about the tool is of limited suitability for a reliable estimation of manufacturing costs. This thesis aims to support the tool making companies with tender preparation through a method of feature-based estimation of manufacturing costs. Essential basis forms a digital representation of the tool, which is generated by an automated CAD model building using technical guidelines. The method is implemented in the form of an expert system. The cost estimation is done, firstly, by determining the costs for machining by an analytical method based on the CAD model. Second, the costs for manufacturing processes are determined by means of a data mining based method by features derived from the CAD model and serve as inputs for prediction models. Using practical examples, the application of the expert system is described in practice and the method is evaluated. Thereby the practical applicability and limitations of the method are shown.

tool making, tool shop, quotation costing, data mining, expert system

The overall objective of the project was to develop a method for the automated CAD modeling and costing of progressive dies. The method should firstly enable the automated creation of a CAD model of the tool based on a strip layout. The tools should be modularized and the interactions of the modules to the tool design are described in rules. The rules should then enable the automated CAD modeling. Secondly, a link of CAD models with automated costing and monitoring should be done. Basis of the costing and monitoring were the CAD models of the tool and the established standard processes in the tool production.

artificial intelligence, tool and die industry, determination of manufacturing costs, CAD-automation

This paper presents the development of methods and rules for an automated CAD model building and cost calculation of tools. Starting with the strip layout of the product to be manufactured, tool models are configured and their components linked to production processes and cost data. By using artificial intelligence algorithms, the experience of the employees is taken into account for tender preparation.

tool making, tool shop, quotation costing, data mining, expert system