Intelligent and cognitive manufacturing systems

Intelligent computation is taken to include the development and application of artificial intelligence (AI) methods i.e. tools that exhibit characteristics associated with intelligence in human behviour. Many approaches have been proposed to apply AI methods, techniques and paradigms to the solution of manufacturng problems. This paper discusses current trends in applications of intelligent computing tools to manufacturing and reviews the motivation and basis for the utilisaton of these systems. The topics of the paper were confined to four main issues of manufacturing systems: design, planning, production and system level activities. A discussion about intelligent and cognitive manufacturing systems from these four basic functiona view points was introduced, the relevant intelligent cmputing methods and theri use in manufacturing were surveyed, and a number of significant research issues and applications were illustrated.