Automation of Deburring and Finishing Works by Robot in Casting : Development of Process Planning System

The study deals with the development of a practical process planning system to remove and finish burrs existing in cast workpieces. There are many processing methods in accordance to variety of materials and cast workpiece shapes. The selection of processing methods has been made by skilled workers since processing methods and their knowledge are not systematically classified. In addition, as burrs on workpieces are not necessarily kept constant, and the performance of deburring and finishing tools deteriorates by abrasion of tools, they make the automation and optimization of the works extremely difficult. In terms of achieving the total automation of manufacturing system, the systematization of deburring and finishing works is indispensable, but, has not been realized due to the lack of compilation of important knowledge concerning workpieces to be deburred, deburring tools, deburring condition, etc. Thus, a knowledge database was constructed by classifying workpieces and extracting processing methods. A process planning system was developed by making use of knowledge database. As a result, it is found that the system can offer the appropriate process plan in terms of minimum cost or shortest processing time.