Knowledge retrieval in stamping process optimisation

Knowledge, information, know how-these are some of the most valuable assets of a manufacturing organisation. Historically much of this has been stored in the minds and skills of individuals in those organisations. However, there are now many drivers to try and institutionalise such knowledge. Over the last 10 years many organisations have been through signifi cant staff reduction exercises and in the process have lost valuable knowledge. Thus, knowledge capture, retrieval, reuse and adoption allows costly mistakes to be avoided and gives organisations a competitive edge in global operations. The significant question that needs to be addressed is how do organisations capture this information and knowledge from the design-manufacture cycle and, more importantly, how can it be retrieved for reuse in new product development? Previous work by the authors has looked at knowledge capture. This paper describes a new method that has been investigated to retrieve information-based textural tags of data instances, and how such retrieved information can be incorporated into optimisation of stamping of sheet metal parts to improve new product development and process design.