CCKS, a knowledge-based control system for coatings application

The Coatings Control Knowledge System (CCKS) demonstrates supervisory control of an industrial line for coating manufactured objects. The economic savings expected from the use of CCKS come from there being fewer flaws, tighter application tolerances, and more rapid line repair. Although CCKS serves as a control system, CCKS is viewed as an assistant to the process engineer, organizing information, tracking concerns, interpreting conditions, and enforcing policies. CCKS contains a diagnostic engine, a plant model, and a simulator. CCKS uses dynamic plant costs to choose among alternatives. Four main areas of development are planned, including customizations to several client plants. A permissions menu gives the process engineer complete control over CCKS