A LEARNING SYSTEM BY MODIFYING A DECISION TREE FOR CAPP

Manufacturing environs constantly change, and any efficient software system to be used in manufacturing must be able to adapt to the varying situations. In a CAPP (Computer-Aided Process Planning) system, a learning capability is necessary for the CAPP system to do change along with the manufacturing system. Unfortunately only a few CAPP systems currently possess learning capabilities. This research aims at the development of a learning system which can increase the knowledge in a CAPP system. A part in the system is represented by frames and described interactively. The process information and process planning logic is represented using a decision tree. The knowledge expansion is carried out through an interactive expansion of the decision tree according to human advice. Algorithms for decision tree modification are developed. A path can be recommended for an unknown part of limited scope. The processes are selected according to the criterion such as minimum time or minimum cost. The decision tree, and the process planning and learning procedures are formally defined.