Operation element-based efficiency for process plans and designs

In previous work the authors have developed graph-theoretic efficiency measures of process plans for rotational parts. The measures assess the technical efficiency under which a particular design can be manufactured, i.e. its manufacturability. This paper extends the earlier work by incorporating geometric dimensioning and tolerancing and developing a new technique for assessing the manufacturability of any part (prismatic and rotational). The aim is to develop an automated technique for assessing part designs.