Integration of a PC based expert system shell and production line tracking system for failure diagnosis and rework definition

The key to the success of data driven manufacturing systems lies in the collection, storage and manipulation of production process data. This paper outlines a project undertaken to integrate a commercial PC expert system shell with a production line tracking and data collection system, to perform failure diagnosis and rework definition. The volume of potentially useful data in this, as in many manufacturing operations, is too great for most production personnel to assimilate. Expert systems offer a tool to improve failure diagnosis, and thus rework efficiency by applying expert engineering knowledge and judgement to available data. However, such systems must facilitate change and maintenance if they are to be successfully deployed in the manufacturing environment. An assessment is given of the types of knowledge required to perform the task and the applicability of expert systems. Maintenance considerations are highlighted, namely knowledge base structure and domain vocabulary. Finally, these points are summarised with reference to DISPEX, an application developed using the TI Personal Consultant Plus shell.