Design automation with the aids of multiple artificial intelligence techniques

In most cases, to design a product through the process of total design is a tedious task. In order to speed up the process and hence to reduce time to market, an intelligent integrated system (IIS) approach has been developed to integrate various stages in total design process, including conceptual design, detail design and manufacture. The integration is achieved by blend ing multiple artificial intelligent (Al) techniques and CAD/CAE/CAM package s into a single environment. The Al techniques utilised in the approach inc lude knowledge-based systems, artificial neural networks and genetic algori thms. The IIS has been applied in mechanical power transmission system desi gn, which approves that the approach is a powerful tool for design automati on. Within the IIS environment, the multiple Al techniques coexist and comp lement each other, and thus their drawbacks are eliminated and their advant ages are maximised.