Abstract: Methods, manufactured parts, and computer programs for horizontally structured manufacturing. A blank is selected for machining into an actual part, and a coordinate system is established. A plurality of process bodies are created in a single file. Each process body includes a virtual blank corresponding to said blank and a plurality of manufacturing features. A virtual machining of each manufacturing feature of the plurality of manufacturing features into the virtual blank is implemented. Each manufacturing feature exhibits an associative relationship with the coordinate system. Manufacturing instructions are generated to create the actual part by machining the plurality of manufacturing features into the blank.

Abstract: A method of horizontally structured manufacturing, comprising: selecting a blank for machining into an actual part; establishing a coordinate system; creating a master process model in a first file comprising a virtual blank corresponding to the blank and a plurality of manufacturing features. The method also includes: virtual machining of each manufacturing feature of the plurality of manufacturing features into the virtual blank, each manufacturing feature exhibiting an associative relationship with the coordinate system; creating an in-process model by copying and linking the virtual blank and copying and linking a selected manufacturing feature from the master process model to the in-process model. The method also includes generating manufacturing instructions to create the actual part by machining the plurality of manufacturing features into the blank.