SOLVING CAD/CAM PROBLEMS BY HEURISTIC PROGRAMMING.

Many engineering applications rely on the computer's performance of numerical operations. But in CAD/CAM, some problems cannot be solved by purely numerical techniques. Interpretation of an engineering drawing and the programming of parts are two tasks that can be automated by applying artificial intelligence techniques. The principles are explained and the application to two working problems described. One program automatically builds the solid geometry data of a body with cylindrical and plane faces, from a digitized engineering drawing. The other will entirely automatically produce the part program for a full 3 axis mill. If the drawing is erroneous and cannot be interpreted, or the part not producible, the user will be so informed.