CNC machining process planning productivity – a qualitative survey

Process planning is the link between design and manufacturing and consequently an important function, since it influences many of the company objectives. However, many companies have little knowledge about their process planning function and the efficiency is thus not optimal. The paper focuses on the automation level of process planning as a mean to improve process planning efficiency. Six CNC machining companies was interviewed and accordingly analysed through a five dimensional automation level model to understand their process planning work. The main findings are that the automation level is low and concurrent engineering is lacking in many of the investigated companies.