Glass annealing process simulation using expert system: a glass industry application of artificial intelligence

How an artificial intelligence system was used for simulation of a glass annealing process is discussed. The system consists of two parts: a planner that uses rules-of-thumb (in the form of an expert system) to determine control settings for the glass processing, and a simulator that uses control settings to derive a glass temperature curve. The two subsystems work together to produce the necessary Lehr control settings to anneal the glass product. A short review of expert system technology is given, followed by a discussion of the project and lessons learned