In-line process conditions monitoring expert system for injection molding

Injection molding is one of the most important and efficient manufacturing industries in Hong Kong and China, and has the capability to manufacture high-value-added products. Optimizing process parameters in-line is difficult to achieve due to a large number of factors being involved and the time-limited restriction. This paper describes a monitoring expert system, which is able to predict the developing trends of injection molding operation parameters. In addition, this system provides expert advice on the appropriate actions to be taken before the occurrence of quality problems. The knowledge representation, the structure of the knowledge base, and the inference engine of the monitoring expert system are presented in this paper. One of the main objectives of the research project is to assist operators for quick response in-line, and thus to ensure the quality of the product and improve the production rate. Practical examples regarding the use of this monitoring expert system for a plastic molding company are also included.