Application of knowledge based method in rapid tool manufacturing

The paper deals with transformation of CAD representation of tools into manufacturing data for rapid prototyping. The medium for knowledge transfer between tool designer and manufacturer is the computer network. In a virtual factory, the physical distance between designer and rapid tool manufacturer can be many thousands of kilometres, so the speed data transfer and the amount of data to be transferred play an essential role in the succeeding of rapid tool manufacturing. The method shown in the paper incorporates data reduction as well verification, and has been developed in the framework of an EU Inco-copernicus project.