STEP-NC compliant approach for setup planning problem on multiple fixture pallets

•Optimisation approach for setup planning involving pallet configuration is proposed.•The best solution is provided for configuration problems characterised by high level of complexity.•The approach makes configuration procedure more efficient and effective.•A STEP-NC oriented data structure is proposed to manage manufacturing requirements.•The validation of the approach is demonstrated with a real industrial case.

Manufacturing system configuration is a broad problem that involves various topics concerning workpiece, cutters, fixture and machine. This paper presents an approach to solve the setup planning problem on machining centres based on a STEP-NC compliant data structure. The aim of this approach is to shorten the time required for the process planning activity by automating some time-consuming steps without compromising the solution accuracy. In the proposed approach, a CAM software tool is employed to associate the geometric and technological data regarding the product. Using the proposed data structure, a method is proposed for solving the setup planning problem based on mathematical programming. The developed approach has been tested on a real case.