"Better Products Faster: A Practice Guide to Knowledge-Based Systems for
Manufacturers", by William H. VerDuin published by IRWIN Professional
Publishing (1333 Burr Ridge Parkway Burr Ridge, IL 60521) 1995, 223 pp, $40
(list)
 
A Book Review by Norman C. Frank, PE, CQE, CQA
CER Corporation, Washington, DC
 
"Better Products Faster" covers the use of knowledge-based systems as applied
to manufacturing.  It provides a good, understandable overview of the nature,
benefits, and the strategic opportunities presented by the three knowledge-
based systems called expert systems, fuzzy logic, and neural networks.  Don't
let these terms scare you.  Chances are you have one or more in your facility
right now.  All three are part of the bigger field defined by artificial
intelligence (AI).  This book is good for anyone who is looking for a better
way to design and manufacture products.
 
The authors recognize the new market force of "customer pull" that has
replaced the old "salesman push".  An "agile enterprise" is a company that
can provide the rapid and often radical changes in products to meet the
equally rapid and radical changes in the marketplace demanded by the
customer.  Computer-based design and manufacturing technologies and
knowledge-based systems help provide such agility.
 
The first two chapters discuss the state of the art, the benefits, and the
limitations of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacture
(CAM).  Included is a description of the parametric-based and feature-based
design approach.
 
Expert systems capture the problem-solving knowledge of experts in the form
of rules of thumb, called heuristics, for use in monitoring and diagnostic
applications by people who need the expertise.  Fuzzy logic-based technology
is also based on "relative" rules and is primarily used in control
applications to maintain temperature or process parameters.  Neural net
technology can learn and discover relationships in data.  Neural nets are
used for pattern recognition, process optimization, and quality improvements.
 
Four chapters describe problem solving capabilities and provide case studies
of actual application of each of the technologies.  Examples are drawn from
the automotive, shipbuilding, nuclear reactors, packaging, computer
configuration, and boiler design.  Chapter 5 includes a description of rapid
prototyping technology to make prototype parts in hours rather than days or
longer.  Although the problems of developing each of these systems are
alluded to, missing is a strong discussion of the problems in developing each
of these systems.
 
Subsequent chapters provide additional examples of application and successes
of knowledge based systems.  Case studies come from many different
industries, including manufacturing, process, and soft industries.  The final
chapters focus on the future of computer-based systems combined with
strategic partnering to form a virtual corporation.  The trend is toward real
time knowledge and knowledge of the immediate future of a process with the
capability of predicting the future.
 
Thomas Hobbes said, "Faulty and sloppy definitions lead to faulty and sloppy
reasoning."  The author recognized this and included a relatively strong
glossary of terms used.  The glossary goes beyond just giving a definition to
giving a good explanation of the term and its use.  Terms defined in the
glossary are in bold face type in the text.
 
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Mr. Frank has over 25 years experience in the field of quality, in the areas
of nuclear quality assurance, research and development, and consulting.  He
is currently in Washington, D.C., with CER Corporation out of Las Vegas,
Nevada.