Expert system for process planning in the cold forging of steel

The development of an expert process planning system for the cold forging of steel is outlined. The program identifies the relevant sequences from the shape of the forging and accepts or rejects them by the application of rules and data in the knowledge base. If a sequence fails, messages give the reasons for failure. For the accepted sequence the program determines the dimensions of the slug and the various operations, the forging and the tools immediately surrounding it are displayed in drawings to scale, together with information essential for equipment design and selection. Dimensioned drawings show the forgings in each stage, useful in tool and product design. A separate module specifies the required press for each operation and examines the cost of the forging. The system is intended as a `colleague´ for the process planning engineer and tool designer and a `consultant´ in product design. The main aim of the work is two-fold: to create a system which examines several factors simultaneously so as to reduce lead times in the planning stage, and to assist in the introduction of this process where it has not been used hitherto which, through potential savings in material and energy requirements, can significantly decrease industrial costs and pollution