knowledge-based system applications in engineering design: research at MIT

• DOI: 10.1609/aimag.v10i3.758
• Publication Date: 1989-09-01
• Authors: D. Siram; George Stephanopo...; Robert D. Logcher; D. C. Gossard; Nicolas Groleau; David P. Serrano; D. Navinchandra
• Keywords: Computer-automated design

Advances in computer hardware and software engineering methodologies the 1960s 1970s led to an increased use of computers by engineers. In design, this has been limited almost exclusively algorithmic solutions such as finite-element methods circuit simulators. However, a number problems encountered design are not amenable purely solutions. These often ill structured (the term ill-structured is used here denote that do have clearly defined solution), experienced engineer deals with them using judgment experience. AI techniques, particular knowledge-based system (KBS) technology, offer methodology solve these problems. article, we describe several research projects utilize KBS techniques for automation. (1) Criteria Yielding, Consistent Labeling Optimization Precedents-Based System (CYCLOPS), which generates innovative designs three-stage process: normal search, exploration, adaptation; (2) Concept Generator (CONGEN), domain independent framework conceptual or preliminary design; (3) Constraint Manager (CONMAN), constraint-management performs evaluation consistency maintenance constraints arising (4) distributed integrated environment computer-aided (DICE), facilitates coordination, communication, control during entire construction/manu-facturing phases; (5) DESIGN-KIT, can be envisioned new generation process-engineering applications.