A knowledge-based inspection process planning system for coordinate measuring machines

The coordinate measuring machine (CMM) is one of the most effective geometry inspection facilities used in manufacturing industry. To fully utilize its capabilities in a computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) environment, we should integrate CMM with other systems and facilities. This paper presents the development of a knowledge-based inspection planner based on the fundamental principles of AI planning to integrate computer-aided design systems and CMMs. The issues involved in CAD-directed inspection process planning are examined; the task of inspection process planning is decomposed into a number of sub-tasks. According to the task decomposition, a knowledge-based planning system was designed with several modules. Each of these modules consists of a knowledge base, a control operator, a context and a communication interface. The knowledge base is the local knowledge source for problem solving; the control operator determines when and where the knowledge is applied; the context contains the initial planning state which is essential input part information, the intermediate planning states which result from the tentative decision made by the modules, and the goal state. The module interfacing was realized by directly calling procedures defined in other modules to pass the planning tasks and decisions. Examples are included to explain the planning knowledge and strategy.