A framework for an intelligent design tool for the IC encapsulation mould

Abstract

Recent developments of CAD/CAM technologies have shifted the focus from mere automation to co-operative product development. This exacts new requirements on computer-based representation and reasoning of products and processes in manufacturing. Our research is focussed on using artificial intelligence (AI) and product modelling techniques to develop an intelligent design decision-support tool within an integrated product development environment. The study involves identifying the essential elements of such a tool and developing a functional system to prove the model. The design and manufacture of integrated circuit (IC) encapsulation moulds were chosen for the case study. This paper describes a framework for the domain and product models and reports some initial results of the on-going study. We use a feature-based object-oriented product representation of the mould and model the domain using production rules and constraints