Knowledge model as an integral way to reuse the knowledge for fixture design process

The fixture design is considered a complex process that demands the knowledge of different areas, such as geometry, tolerances, dimensions, processes and manufacturing resources. Nowadays, the fixture design process is oriented to automated systems based on knowledge models. These models describe the characteristics and relationships of the physical elements together with the inference processes that allow carrying out the activity of fixture design. With the employment of the knowledge models, besides the automation, it is possible to systematize and structure the knowledge of the fixture design process. With the use of specific methodologies, as the knowledge template, it is possible to reuse the knowledge represented in a model, for its use in a different design process. The knowledge template represents a pattern that defines the common entities and inference processes to use in the design process. In this work, with the use of knowledge template we propose the reuse of the knowledge described in the design process of fixtures for machining to other types of fixtures uses like inspection, assembly or welding.