The complementary roles of expert systems and database management systems in a design for manufacture environment

Abstract

Effective product design that satisfies functional requirements and can be manufactured easily requires vast amounts of knowledge on the part of the design engineer. This paper focuses on the complementary roles of expert systems and database management systems as they relate to the Intelligent Design System (IDS) in a Design for Manufacture (DFM) environment. Each technology complements the other in its strengths and abilities. The database management system provides during the design process. The expert system provides a reasoning mechanism for identifying manufacturing violations and generating meaningful recommendations. These components work cooperatively with a CAD interface to form a unified, intelligent design environment.

An information flow analysis of the Intelligent Design System resulted in the development of three distinct classifications of information within the database: CAD data, a design catalog, and a knowledge base. The CAD data tables employ an, object oriented approach to store specific information about the physical contains cost, weight, and strength characteristics of the standard parts and fasteners used within the system. The knowledge base contains rules and heuristics concerning design and manufacturing methodologies.

The placement of the expert system rules in the database represents an innovation. As a result, the expansion and updating of the materials, fasteners, standard parts, or manufacturing processes used by the Intelligent Design System is facilitated without increased due to the efficient management of the knowledge base by the database management system. This allows the designer to modify the knowledge and help the system to learn without the need for a knowledge engineer.