Intelligent Quality Systems (Advanced Manufacturing)

This study discusses Quality Systems employing techniques from the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It focuses upon expert systems and neural networks, two of the most popular AI techniques. Expert Systems encapsulate human expertise for solving complex problems. Neural Networks are able to learn problem solving from examples. The authors illustrate applications of these techniques to the design and operation of effective quality systems. Readers with a background in quality engineering and manufacturing will be able to learn about the uses of expert systems and neural networks to achieve intelligent Statistical Process Control, monitor processes and detect incipient faults in them, design experiments and predict performance, inspect products and monitor and diagnose plants and processes. Readers with an AI background will find a wealth of ideas for practical problems on which to deploy and test their techniques.