An automated design system for progressive die

This paper describes an automated design system developed for design of progressive die. The proposed system is organized in 27 knowledge-base modules. The production rule based knowledge-base system (KBS) approach is utilized for constructing the system modules. Modules are user interactive and designed to be loaded into the prompt area of AutoCAD. The system is capable of automating all major activities of design of progressive die such as checking the design features of sheet metal parts, design of strip-layout, selection of progressive die components, modeling of die components and die assembly, and selection of materials for progressive die components. The system is implemented on a PC having AutoCAD software and therefore its low cost of implementation makes it affordable by small and medium size enterprises.