A Low Cost Knowledge Based System Framework for Design of Bending Die

Abstract

This paper presents a low cost knowledge based system (KBS) framework for design of bending die. Considerations for development of KBS are discussed at some length. The proposed framework divides the task of development of expert system into different modules for major activities of bending die design. The procedure of development of KBS modules is also described at length. Production rules for each module are recommended to be coded in the AutoLISP language and designed to be loaded into the prompt area of AutoCAD or through user interface created using Visual Basic. Each module of the proposed framework is user interactive. Development of one module of the proposed framework is also described at length. This module is capable to assess manufacturability of bending sheet metal parts. An illustrative example is also included to demonstrate the usefulness of this module. The proposed system framework is flexible enough to accommodate new acquired knowledge. As the proposed system is implementable on a PC having AutoCAD software, therefore its low cost of implementation makes it affordable even by small scale sheet metal industries.