Knowledge-based Engineering for Process Planning and Die Design for Automotive Panels

TLDR: In this article, a hybrid knowledge-based engineering (KBE) methodology is used to automate process planning and die design in automotive panel production using a novel KBE methodology, where case-based reasoning (CBR) is integrated into ordinary process planning.

Abstract: This work automates process planning and die design in automotive panel production using a novel knowledge-based engineering (KBE) methodology. Automotive panels are more complicated than common stamped parts because automotive panels are composed of groups of freeform surfaces. Stamping process planning identifies and sequences the necessary operations, finally producing the appropriate press dies. Case-based reasoning (CBR) is integrated into ordinary process planning and die design processes to generate a hybrid KBE system. Utilizing the CBR methodology to plan stamping process and design stamping dies for automotive panels reuses existing designs to develop new designs. In the proposed flexible system, process-planning and die-design functions can adapt existing designs or generate new designs based on stamping knowledge. Tacit knowledge of stamping parts is preserved and automotive panel manufacturing is accelerated by design automation when using the proposed KBE system.