PARTNERGlobal supplier of metalworking tools

INDUSTRYMetalworking

OBJECTIVEDevelop a tool for smarter process planning

SOLUTIONAutomated end-to-end process planning software

FOCUS AREADigital Design and Manufacturing

COMPETENCYGeometric and Spatial Reasoning

OBJECTIVEMake process planning smarterProcess planning is a critical part of manufacturing. A process plan is the set of instructions that describes exactly how a part will be fabricated, including time and cost estimates. It’s the bridge between design and manufacturing. Remarkably, most process planning is done manually, requiring highly specific operator knowledge and taking anywhere from hours to weeks.

WHY PARC?An existing tool from years of intensive researchA global supplier of tools, solutions and know-how for the metalworking industry, learned about PARC’s software solution for automated process planning—the result of years of intensive research around building computational algorithms and geometric reasoning models. They partnered with PARC to further develop the software for its metalworking customers.

A global leader in tools for the metalworking industry wanted to make process planning more intelligent. Hearing about PARC’s automated process planning software, they reached out to begin collaboration on an end-to-end software solution that would address the unique needs of their customers.

CASE STUDY

Sparking Digital Transformation in

the Metalworking Industry

SOLUTIONSoftware for automated process planningPARC’s scalable web-based software solution automatically generates process plans for metalworking. Given a computer-aided design (CAD) file, catalog of tools and machines, and set of machining parameters, a process plan can be realized—complete with time and cost estimates—in under a minute. How? The application uses a patented approach to geometric reasoning, determining possible ways of removing necessary material using 3-axis machining. It then intelligently searches through all possible plans to define the most cost-effective way to manufacture the part. This novel process planning software provides for machinists what GPS provides for drivers—automatic instructions on how to get from point A to point B, in this case, a block of metal to a fabricated part. It presents tremendous time- and cost-savings for machine shops.

RESULTSThe first solution of its kind in metalworkingPARC provided its client the first automated end-to-end process planning solution for metalworking on the market. The client acquired all intellectual property and technology related to PARC’s software and entered a strategic research agreement where PARC will continue to conduct research and development for them, enabling iterative improvements to the software and opening up further opportunities for digital design and manufacturing innovation.

This enabling of complete design automation and manufacturing of complex products marks an exciting step forward in digital manufacturing and Industry 4.0.” – Markus Larsson, Vice President of Global Business Development, PARC

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© 2019 PARC, a Xerox company, is in The Business of Breakthroughs. Practicing open innovation, we provide custom R&D services, technology, expertise, best practices, and IP to Fortune 500 and Global 1000 companies, startups, and government agency partners. We create new business options, accelerate time to market, augment internal capabilities, and reduce risk for our clients.

PARC, 3333 Coyote Hill Road, Palo Alto, California 94304 USA | +1 650 812 4000 | engage@parc.com | www.parc.comRev. 08/2019

Contact PARC to learn more: engage@parc.com