Expert System for Process Planning in Production Facility Design : Knowledge Representation for Flow Type Production System

Abstract

Knowledge engineering is applied in the area ol production engineering, and an expert system for process planning in production facility design is researched. This expert system is developed in order to assist an inexperienced planner to make a decision in process planning. In this system, the knowledge data dealing with machine types and those makers are described using frame and ruled representation, and the system is programmed with UTILISP. An inexperienced planner uses this system to select the value corresponding to the required product quality from the knowledge data base. After all the machine types have been reviewed, the sequence and the optimum numbers o f those machines are decided. Through the application of the developed system to a process planning of parts like a shaft, it is ascertained that the Artificial Intelligence technology is effective as a tool assisting process planners in production facility design.