A knowledge graph-based approach to modeling & representation for machining process design intent

Numerical control machining process design, which connects product design and modern manufacturing, is the extension of the design process in the process field. The process design intent, derived from in-depth part analysis, embodies the cognitive and strategic thinking of technologists in response to the specific design requirements during the process design. It encapsulates interpretable experiential knowledge and provides valuable insights for subsequent process design stages. However, the process design intent is the tacit experiential knowledge of technologists that implicitly exists in the process design, lacking a reasonable organizational framework and effective method to effectively represent and capture it. To fill this gap, a process design intent model for representing and capturing useful design intent knowledge for future reuse is developed and evaluated in this study. Firstly, this paper analyzes the existence of process design intent in process design and gives a brief description of the working scheme of the process design intent model. Then, the key modules of the model are introduced in detail and a knowledge graph of process design intent is built based on the model structure. Moreover, the process design intent annotator is developed to effectively capture process design intent. Finally, the example for capturing and representing process design intent is shown and the model is evaluated and discussed by the example.