An Expert System for Selection of Carbide Cutting Tools for Turning Operations

Majority of the components machined in industries have cylindrical shapeswith large variety in shape, size and accuracy. An engineer has to select the tools based on his experience or by referring tooling catalogues which is time consuming. In the present research work, an expert system is developed for the optimal selection of carbide cutting tools for turning operation. Technical knowledge acquired from various sources of knowledge acquisition is refined and framed in form of production rules of ‘IF-Then’ variety. ISO specifications along with trade names of various leading cutting tool manufacturers are included in the knowledge base of proposed system. This system determines several parameters such as tool holder (clamping system, approach angle, and size), insert (shape, size, and nose radius) and cutting condition (speed, feed, and depth of cut). The most important feature of the system is the cross reference list of inserts. Use of this system will avoid cumbersome work of referring tooling catalogues of varioustool manufactures.The system has been tested successfully in a manufacturing industry.