STEP-NC Feature-based Cutting Tool Recommendation System

In the CNC machining process of parts, suitable cutting tool selection is crucial to machining efficiency and cost. In practices, cutting tool selection still mainly relies on the technicians’ experiences because of the information loss from the part design to machining at the process planning stage. In this paper, a STEP-NC feature based cutting tool recommendation system is introduced for automatic tool selection during the CAD/CAM stage, which is composed of feature based integrated design module and the cutting tool selection module. A cutting tool combination evaluation model based on machining expense and energy consumption was integrated into the system of which the data structure is organized using STEP-NC. A typical part was tested to verify the feasibility of the proposed system.