Developing a Design System into an Intelligent Tutoring System

As the techniques of artificial intelligence become more widely used, an increasing number of knowledge-based design systems has been developed to handle problems that cannot be solved by traditional computational-based systems. Knowledge-based design systems are embedded with a wealth of design rules and heuristics. In addition, the architecture of knowledge-based system has features such as symbolic and structured programming, objects, rules manipulation, and rule-tracing and explanation. Therefore, they are ideal candidates for development into intelligent tutoring systems (ITS). This paper explains how a knowledge-based design prototype system for progressive die design is developed into an ITS that can be used to teach authentic design activities both in the classroom and on-the-job. It illustrates how the flexibility offered in the trainee-system interaction facilitates the exploration of design alternatives and case studies to tackle open-ended design problems. The ITS uses a computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) system as the front-end and automates many of the tedious drafting, measurement, shape recognition and manipulation tasks associated with progressive die planning and design. Therefore, it promises to be a more effective training aid which can help shorten the traditionally long period of apprenticeship training program which a trainee has to follow.