AN EXPERT-SYSTEM FOR CONCURRENT PRODUCT AND PROCESS DESIGN OF MECHANICAL PARTS

A new approach for concurrent product and process design of mechanical parts is presented in this paper. This approach enables designers to ensure that the product will be manufactured with the existing manufacturing facility at high quality and lowest cost. It is composed of an integrated expert and CAD (computer aided design) system that meets the requirements for accomplishing the concept of design for manufacturability or concurrent engineering. The system is based mainly on three tasks: firstly, developing a technique for automated feature recognition from the database of a solid modeller; secondly, interfacing the expert system tool-kit with the solid modelling system; finally, building an expert system that contains extensive information about both manufacturing facilities and product features. The expert system provides feedback about manufacturing concerns such as process limits or design inconsistencies. This work is part of the present extended research plan for developing a generic system suitable for various manufacturing practices based on design for manufacturability strategy.