Application of Ontology Reasoning in Machining Process Planning – Case Study

Data interoperability is a critical issue in machining and process planning because it allows data to be exchanged and reused across different systems and organizations. Ontologies, particularly those developed within the context of the Basic Formal Ontology (BFO), play an important role in promoting data interoperability by providing a shared vocabulary as well as a formal representation of the concepts and relationships within a specific domain. This study explores the integration of ontologies in Computer-Aided Process Planning (CAPP) to enhance manufacturing efficiency, accuracy, and flexibility. IMPlanner, a manufacturing process planning system, is utilized to generate process models and process hierarchies, to leverage the benefits of ontologies for information representation and sharing. By modeling the results within an ontology, we efficiently infer new information, providing a deeper understanding of the manufacturing process. The approach presented has the potential to significantly improve manufacturing planning and execution, allowing manufacturers to optimize their operations in Industry 4.0. By harnessing the power of ontologies and reasoning tools, we demonstrate that it elevates the accuracy, efficiency, and adaptability of manufacturing processes.