AN INTERACTIVE SYSTEM FOR OPTIMUM AND CONCURRENT DESIGN OF COMPONENTSFOR MANUFACTURE BY POWDER-METALLURGY TECHNOLOGY

This paper describes an interactive knowledge based approach for advis ing on the design of components to be manufactured by the powder metal lurgy (PM) process. The interactive methodology employed, which involv es a progressive evaluation of geometrical features, enables the syste m to generate design recommendations for both axisymmetric and non-axi symmetric components. The system employs a design with features approa ch to allow development of a solid model of the component, and rule-ba sed inferencing is used for design interrogation. As each feature is c reated the user is advised with regard to its effects on the manufactu rability of the component by means of PM, thereby enabling process spe cific knowledge to be made available at an early stage in the design. A hubbed gear is employed as an example component to illustrate the op eration of the system, which includes automatic detection of unsuitabl e features, and a capability for automatic design modification. System s of this type can offer potential for improved access to manufacturin g knowledge; thus contributing to the concurrent design process, and r esulting in reduced product development cost and improved quality. Suc h systems are particularly relevant to currently under-utilised produc tion processes like powder metallurgy, which can provide significant c ost and environmental benefits.