Towards a knowledge based design assistance system

Information and knowledge have become an important factor in product development. The approach of a CAD assistance system is for many companies a major step towards the future. For a successful integration of knowledge systems, the factors: knowledge management, KBE, object-oriented modeling, CAx-Automation and a multifunctional programming language, play a decisive role. In this paper we present an approach for a CAD assistance system based on the programming language Python. Python can control the CAD system CATIA V5 via Windows COM interface and also edit CAD data. An object-oriented modeling of CAD components facilitates a knowledge-based design. Simultaneously the knowledge of design can be created and formalized in a knowledge base (ontology). This ontology is also based on the programming language Python. Thus, an opportunity in Python has been created in which the CAD system and the knowledge management can be controlled and used in one level. Therefore this approach paves the way for a CAD-Automation or a CAD assistance system.