โ Scribed by L.N. Smith; P.S. Midha
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
This paper describes an interactive knowledge based approach for advising on the design of components to be manufactured by the powder metallurgy (PM) process. The interactive methodology employed, which involves a progressive evaluation of geometrical features, enables the system to generate design recommendations for both axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric components. The system employs a design with features approach to allow development of a solid model of the component, and rule-based inferencing is used for design interrogation. As each feature is created the user is advised with regard to its effects on the manufacturability of the component by means of PM, thereby enabling process specific knowledge to be made available at an early stage in the design. A hubbed gear is employed as an example component to illustrate the operation of the system, which includes automatic detection of unsuitable features, and a capability for automatic design modification. Systems of this type can offer potential for improved access to manufacturing knowledge; thus contributing to the concurrent design process, and resulting in reduced product development cost and improved quality. Such systems are particularly relevant to currently under-utilised production processes like powder metallurgy, which can provide significant cost and environmental benefits.
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