The use of expert systems in CAD
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Date
1994
Authors
Gritzman, Jonathan Larry
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Abstract
Computer Aided Design, or CAD. is a powerful graphical tool used to produce detailed and
complex drawings and to carry out engineering analysis. The operator interprets tnese
drawings and attaches meaning to the entities within the CAD. Expert systems capture
expertise within a knowledge base in a specialised area. By incorporating an expert system
within the CAD system, forming an "intelligent CAD" system, the computer can manipulate
the information within the CAD system in a meaningful way. It can
become an on board co-assistant to the designer. The aim of the project report is to describe a
software structure which enables a CAD system and an expert system to interact and share
information.
The report discusses relevant issues which need to be taken into account. A Basic prototype
has been created using object oriented programming techniques with the C++ programming
language, Its main focus is to establish the functions of the various components and the type
of information that needs to be exchanged between them. It also looks at ways of structuring
the software into independent components which are reusable, easily maintainable and
independent from one another,
The prototype has highlighted requirements and weaknesses of "intelligent CAD" systems ..
Data representation is found to be extremely important. It involves the representation of
entities and the relationships between other entities. Messages are the means ot
cemmnnication between components and they enable components to be decoupled and
independent from one another.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand,
Johannesburg. in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering
Keywords
Computer-aided design -- South Africa., Expert systems (Computer science) -- South Africa., Electrification -- South Africa -- Data processing.