AUTOMATING THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS OF THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE SHEET RIBS USING KNOWLEDGE BASED ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES

摘要

Knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) tools can be used to increase the efficiency of the engineering process. In this paper it is shown how KBE tools can reduce the design lead-time of thermoplastic composite sheet ribs and the moulds needed to produce them. Design lead-time reductions of 60% to 90% have been achieved.