Development of a web-based quotation expert system for machined parts

When a factory produces mechanised parts on a client demand, short lead-times and accuracy in quotations are fundamental factors to gain or lose a client. Cost and price are usually estimated by an expert engineer based on the specific characteristics of the required part and his or her experience. The lack of qualified employees in factories implies extra work for the expert engineer. This paper presents a web-based expert system for drafting quotations based on a factory expert knowledge. The developed system allows non-expert personnel to make quotations in a short lead-time and with expert accuracy, for mechanised parts with multi-spindle lathes.

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