Intelligent computing methods for manufacturing systems

Intelligent computation is taken to include the development and application of artificial intelligence (AI) methods i.e. tools that exhibit characteristics associated with intelligence in human behaviour. Many approaches have been proposed to apply AI methods, techniques and paradigms to the solution of manufacturing problems. This paper discusses current trends in applications of intelligent computing tools to manufacturing and reviews the motivation and basis for the utilisation of these systems. The topics of the paper were confined to four main issues of manufacturing systems: design, planning, production and system level activities. A discussion about intelligent manufacturing systems from these four basic functional view points was introduced, the relevant intelligent computing methods and their use in manufacturing were surveyed, and a number of significant research issues and applications were illustrated. The main developments that were observed comprise the integration of AI methods into CAD, CAPP, etc.; the improvement of the performance of present AI techniques; the development of hybrid AI systems; the elaboration and application of new AI paradigms in manufacturing. Intelligent systems in the future are expected to be integrated, modular, and hybrid in nature, and they may well include all the techniques described in this paper and further more.