This article describes a tandem knowledge-based system developed to verify whether a specific advanced manufacturing system (AMS) scenario meets the design requirements defined by the design team. If a problem is found, the system starts an analysis-diagnosis-recommendation cycle in order to identify the possible cause(s) of the design deficiency as well as to propose changes to improve the performance of the AMS scenario. For this cycle to be successful, the developed system combines simulation and knowledge-based systems, using the experience and knowledge acquired by specialists during previous AMS projects. A case study illustrates the effectiveness of the system.
artificial intelligence; design and modelling; advanced manufacturing systems; simulation
