Intelligent decision support using case-based reasoning in the early design stage

Shortages of design expertise and experience often result in a low level of assemblability and manufacturability. In addition, expertise is hard to disseminate to novices. To effectively disseminate and reuse this valuable knowledge, design, departments need effective and efficient design support mechanisms such as decision support systems. The objective of the research is to propose a new methodology for assembly design. The Case-Based Reasoning and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (CBR-DFMA) system is a CBR system integrated with web technology using hybrid v DFMA methodology to advise, assess and reuse assembly part designs based on previous expertise and experience in the early design stage. Using web technology, CBR-DFMA disseminates and shares up-to-date design experience anytime and anywhere. Experimental results of the research show that CBR methodology is suitable for imparting expertise, managing experience and providing recommendations in assembly part design.