Knowledge base design for flexible assembly robots

Abstract

The paper presents a knowledge based model for selecting robotic systems for mechanical assembly. The knowledge based system tool was used to select a robot from available robotic systems using cost and performance criteria along with the parameters for the assembly cell. An efficient computer program was written to store information on available robotic systems in a knowledge base. The information is accessible in an interactive mode using the knowledge of the assembly task. A validation study showed that robots could be easily and conveniently chosen for assembly using assembly variables such as demand and layout specifications. In an evaluative test of the knowledge base model, 90% of the subjects chose the same robot for a test assembly problem.