The potential and limitations of expert systems in inspection and testing

The author discusses the development of expert systems at the total testing and inspection level. One programme of work within the area, led by Sira Ltd. and carried out in collaboration with a range of industrial and academic partners, is tackling the subject from the perspective of linking design to inspection. The approach adopted is to generate an object-oriented knowledge base, comprising knowledge of the product, knowledge of manufacturing processes and knowledge of inspection methods. The product knowledge includes knowledge of capabilities and properties, and the way in which these are achieved in the design. The manufacturing process knowledge and inspection knowledge includes knowledge of the techniques available and their capabilities