Computer-aided process planning

What is computerized process planning?
Computer Aided Process Planning (CAPP) involves the use of computer technology to design physical products. It's about things like Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM), but computer aided process planning focuses on industrial processes.

In computer-aided process planning, experts consider the specific steps of a manufacturing process. The engineers use general design information to create process steps and create reports. Generated processes can include a specific sequence of operations, specific uses of tools, and the routing of products from one workstation to another. These detailed and step-by-step instructions form the basis for the actual production.

Experts also differentiate between certain types and stages of CAPP; The term 'variant CAPP' describes, for example, broader steps in the process in order to create versatile planning, while 'generative CAPP' describes subsequent steps in order to create protocols and plans that are more rigid and determine processes in more detail.

Often cited benefits of CAPP include overall manufacturing efficiency, better use of raw materials, improved production planning, fewer calculation errors, and labor savings.