Artificial neural network approach for injection mould cost estimation

The role of the plastic injection technology has increasing role in automotive industry. The mould maker companies face a considerable challenge not only in terms of productivity of design and manufacturing, but also in trying to meet the increased demand in quotation. The article presents the application of an artificial neural network for cost estimation which supports a parallel case-based and heuristic cost estimation system. Altogether fourteen cost types are estimated with a promising result based on thirteen tool description parameters that can be specified simply based on the given CAD model indicating that these are to be specified easily and quickly by an expert preparing the quotation.