Object-oriented analysis and design of computer aided process planning systems

Computer aided process planning (CAPP) systems in the real world are usually large and complex. The creation of a correct analysis and model of a CAPP system before implementation is a crucial step in the successful generation and operation of computer-integrated systems for today's highly competitive and dynamic environment. Few reports describe a rigorous approach to the object-oriented analysis and design of such systems. This paper presents an object-oriented analysis and design strategy for CAPP systems. It then illustrates in detail how such a strategy can be carried out in a specific domain for process planning: the printed circuit board (PCB) industry. The study is believed to be one of the pioneer efforts in CAPP systems analysis and design using the object-oriented approach. The authors' experience justifies the use of the object-oriented approach to create a CAPP system, as the resultant model can be used almost as a direct mapping during implementation.