Knowledge based System for Improving Design and Manufacturing Processes for Electrochemical MachiningIn Computer based Concurrent Engineering

Abstract

The traditional design of product, the preceding constraints and limitations are considered sequentially. In order to reduce the product development cycle time and cost and increase quality and productivity, concurrent (simultaneous) design of product and process has been introduced. Electrochemical machining (ECM) is used to tackle exotic alloys of intricate shape and produce complex parts in hard metals with high surface quality and integrity. This paper addresses the concept of the knowledge base system (KBS) for optimization of product design and electrochemical machining process in computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) and computer based concurrent engineering environment. The KBS links with design and manufacturing data bases. The design specification is acquired through a feature based approach. The KBS links with material data base which holds attributes of more than 60 materials. It also links with tool data base which hold attributes of 7 tools material and also 3 type of electrolytes. KBS is also links with machine data base which hold attributes of different ECM machines. For each design feature, KBS provides information needed for design and manufacturing optimization. The KBS can be used as an advisory system for designers and manufacturing engineers. It can be used as a teaching program for designers and manufacturing engineers and new ECM operators in computer based concurrent engineering environment.