A Knowledge-based Design System for Injection Molding

The design and manufacture of injection molded polymeric parts with desired properties is a costly process dominated by empiricism, including the repeated modification of actual tooling. This paper presents an expert design evaluation system which can predict the mechanical performance of a molded product and diagnose the design before the actual mold is machined. The knowledge-based system synergistically combines a rule-based expert system with CAE programs. Heuristic knowledge of injection molding is formalized as rules of an expert consultation system. The expert system interprets the analytical results of the process simulation, predicts the performance, evaluates the design and generates recommendations for optimal design alternatives.