Development of an integrated knowledge-based system for mold-base design

Based on a review on the conventional mold-design process, a new procedure has been proposed for the development of molds. The procedure was implemented through an integrated, knowledge-based system. To enable the development of the system, some key technologies such as product modeling, frame-rule structures, case-based reasoning and neural networks, were studied in detail. The system renders three major advantages: with product modeling, engineers' tasks can be focused on product design and not on design drawing; being integrated with an AI technology, the system sets up a design environment with field knowledge by which design efficiency can be improved significantly; and a new frame-rule structure for knowledge processing has been incorporated into the system. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.