Study On DFM System Based On Multi-agent Technology For Automobile Body Panel And Die

The Concurrent Engineering (CE) is a hot question in the current research field of advanced manufacturing technology. DFM (Design for Manufacture) is one of the most important content and technology of CE. The MAS (Multi-Agent System), which possesses the characters of collaboration, autonomy, extensibility and flexibility, is often used to deal with problems with complex environment and strongly uncertainty. DFM system based on multi-agent technology is more intelligent and flexible than traditional DFM system.Theory of the DFM system and multi-agent system technology is discussed and the architecture of the DFM system for automobile body panel and die based on multi-agent technology is established after analyzing the character of automobile body panel and die in the design and manufacture process. Four application agents including forming analyzing agent, cost estimating agent, coding agent and process plan evaluating agent is also built in the DFM system. These agents can collaboratively work by using the KQML as communication language and the communication service provided by facilitator agent. In the study of forming analyses and cost estimation of automobile body panel and die, the thought of case-based reasoning is utilized. A set of code system for automobile body panel and die is set up. The characteristics of automobile body panel and die, which is closely related to forming and cost of the automobile body panel and die, are expressed accurately with the code system. By using AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) a coefficient model is constructed, comparability is successfully quantified. With the comparability-searching method, the cost estimating and forming analyses of the automobile body panel and die can be finally realized by using the exponent-smoothing method and interaction respectively.The fuzzy mathematics is used to build an evaluating model for stamping processplan of automobile body panel based on the proposed evaluating factors muster. The weight coefficient and membership grade of each factor is confirmed. The paper accomplishes the evaluation for stamping process plan of automobile body panel at last.At last, the realization of software and organization of database is described in detail, and then the principles for designing and running the database are introduced. The main interface of the function model in DFM system is also provided.The present study will promote the development and application of DFM technology in the area of automobile body panel and die. The present research for DFM system based on multi-agent technology possesses great theoretical significance and practical application importance.