Abstract
This paper presents a new process planning architecture which is compatible with the integrated product and process development of concurrent engineering and interfaces with production control. The architecture consists of three levels, namely aggregate, management and detailed (AMD), which are defined according to the granularity of process modelling considerations, the interfacing requirements with design and production control, and the natural time cycle of the corresponding activities. The essential functionality at each level is also discussed and the new technology requirements are identified. The modularity of AMD will allow the generation of flexible, customized process planning systems to meet specific industrial requirements, enhance the operation of modules at each level and reduce the overall system complexity. However, the most important benefits offered by the AMD architecture are the establishment of time-dependent interfaces with design and production control and the formation of a modular structure that will facilitate the development of future generation, distributed process planning systems.