A fuzzy logic based expert system for machinability data-on-demand on the Internet

Optimized machinability data is obtained from a skilled machine tool operator’s experience and intuition. Thus, fuzzy logic is a good approach to describe the strategy and action of the skilled operator when selecting the machinability data. In this paper, the development stages of an online fuzzy expert system (FES) are presented, possible methodologies are illustrated and their pros and cons are discussed in this paper. The FES has been developed using object oriented programing, dynamic link library (DLL) and ActiveX Control. It can be easily incorporated into the Internet and Intranet environment and can be accessed virtually at any place. A simplified fuzzy set-handling object has been developed in order to save resources. Weighted-centroid rather than union centroid is recommended in output defuzzification. Comparison between these two methods is made and discussed.