Development of an expert system for cutting-off process selection.

The manufacturing engineer is faced with many different processes and a wide variety of alternative combinations of parts and cutting-off tools. The problem is therefore to select the optional and most economical combinations of processes and parameters for cutting-off a given product. To assist in this problem, each cutting-off tool or machine manufacturer and supplier recommends cutting conditions for their products which are neither consistent nor have a scientific base. As with other machining technologies, the cutting-off process domain has an abundance of data, but very little documented knowledge.It was proposed to undertake an investigation into the possibility of using a knowledge-based system for the selection of cutting-off processes, cutting-tools and the associated parameters. This project uses a survey to investigate the U.K. industry practice in the selecting of cutting-off process and machines used in their business and the nature of their business. The survey method, design and survey questionnaires as well as the findings are also reported. From the survey finding and interviews with experts, a prototype system structure has been developed. This system is similar to an expert's thinking in solving a problem. The structure of the system and how it works is also revealed in this report. The steps in building an expert system are discussed in this report, it states what is knowledge acquisition and the problems and methods used in knowledge acquisition. After the system was built, it was subjected to a through test programme. The testing procedure and industry validation process are discussed in the report. The testing results are analysed to show that the use of using an expert system in the selection of cutting-off process is feasible.