Expert System Approach for CAD/CAM Integration & Optimization based on International Standard (STEP) and Computer based Concurrent Engineering

Abstract

This paper addresses the concept of the Expert system approach for CASD/CAM integration and optimization of product design and manufacturing in computer base concurrent engineering environment. The Expert system links with design and manufacturing databases. The design specification is acquired through a feature based approach. The Expert system links with material, tools, CNC machine center data and databases. For each design feature, the expert system provides information needed for design and manufacturing optimization. The expert system can be used as an advisory system for designers and manufacturing engineers using STEP (standard for exchange of product data) AP224 standard. and also for new CNC machine center operators. A designer uses proengineers software and feature base library and design a part. Design data stored in data base according to international standard STEP format. All suppliers can used the latest design data through computer network system and STEP design data. The result of table 1 shows that the expert system estimates correctly machining cycle time and cost and penetration rate. In practical, estimation of machining time and cost, feeds and all other parameters are difficult to obtain. In contrast the expert system can provide this estimation usually in less than 20 seconds.