PROCASE: A Prototype of Intelligent Case-Based Process Planning System With Simulation Environment
Abstract An intelligent case-based process planning system with interactive graphic simulation environment, PROCASE, is developed to demonstrate an integrated methodology of case-based process planning system. In PROCASE, both the mechanical part features and the machining operations are represented with a frame based scheme. PROCASE contains a retriever, a modifier, a simulator and a repairer. It distinguishes itself from traditional rule-based process planning systems by representing the process planning knowledge through previous process planning cases instead of production rules. It therefore can overcome some problems in the traditional rule-based expert systems. PROCASE currently resides in IRIS Indigo workstation. With a user friendly graphic environment, the generated process plans can be demonstrated vividly. This simulation environment not only serves as a good assistance in debugging, but also helps the user to be convinced of the outcomes of the reasoning of PROCASE.