Quantitative measures of manufacturability for rotational parts

This paper addresses the issue of manufacturability measurement for design improvements. With the increasing applications of computer aided engineering, the design engineer must expand the view of design to include ease of manufacturing. Quantitative indicators of manufacturability are the most efficient way of providing manufacturing feedback to the designer. Quantitative measures can be used to indicate redesign targets and rank parts based on ease of manufacturing. A methodology for developing such indicators (manufacturability indices) is presented here, with rotational parts being used as an example. The paper shows how CAD and machining parameters can be utilized to obtain a part's manufacturing requirements. These requirements are then combined into indices, the use of which is illustrated with examples.