Indexing and retrieval using case-based reasoning in special purpose machine designs

摘要

Research on computer-aided design for machine tools has been in the interest of many researchers for a long time and generated several new methods for different engineering applications. This paper introduces a case-based reasoning (CBR) method combined with SolidWorks application programming interface (API) for special purpose machines (SPMs). It presents an integrated system with focusing on the indexing and retrieval process for the design cases. An indexing mechanism was developed for SPMs, and two retrieval stages were applied to retrieve the optimum case. An illustrative example is included to demonstrate the proposed method and how this method combined with SolidWorks API will accelerate the design process for SPMs.