Case-based manufacturing process planning with integrated support for knowledge sharing

Computer aided process planning is a key part of bridging the link between design and manufacturing. Case-based reasoning provides an attractive paradigm for process planning as it combines the generative and variant approaches and improves the effectiveness of the planner by applying old experiences to solving new planning problems. We present a new case-based planning methodology that extends the capability and effectiveness of previous approaches by incorporating the ability to learn new domain knowledge from other planners via an integrated knowledge sharing mechanism. In addition, our planner has the capability to use multiple cases in the process of constructing a new plan, providing more effective utilization of the planner's previous experiences. The planning algorithm is based on domain-independent partial-order planning, and provides a formal approach to case-based process planning.