Case-based retrieval approach for machining fixture design utilizing ontology

In order to develop an intelligent case-based reasoning (CBR) system to reuse fixture design knowledge, ontology technology was integrated in CBR system by semantic annotation of fixture design case. Domain ontology of fixture design was constructed; concepts and relations were defined and represented. The 2-level similarity evaluation approach of domain ontology was presented. The concept similarity of cases was calculated as the first grade case retrieval. Numerical measurement was the second grade case retrieval, which adopted various methods to calculate different types of attribute values. The problem of similarity measurement of fixture design case was resolved. Prototype system based on the proposed method was illustrated and the retrieval approach was proved to be efficient.