An Expert System for Design of Blanking Dies for Sheet Metal Operations

This paper describes an expert system developed for assisting die designers for design of blanking dies for sheet metal operations. The production rule-based expert system approach is utilized for development of the system. The proposed system labelled as INTBDIE is organized in form of twelve modules. Modules are coded in AutoLISP language and designed to be loaded into the prompt area of AutoCAD. For consultation, the user loads the system into the prompt area of AutoCAD. The proposed system generates friendly prompt eliciting from the user for data pertaining to the job. The recommendations imparted by the system for design of blanking die are automatically stored in various output data files which are further utilized for automatic modelling of die components and die assembly. This arrangement facilitates interfacing of design with drafting and can be operated on a PC/AT. The knowledge base of the proposed system can be modified depending upon the capabilities of a specific shop floor. As the system can be implemented on a PC having AutoCAD software, therefore its low cost of implementation makes it affordable for small and medium-sized stamping industries.