IMPLEMENTATION OF A LOGIC-BASED SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR CONCURRENT ENGINEERING

In this paper we detail the representation and implementation techniques used to build SPARK, a logic-based support system for designers engaged in concurrent engineering. Design rules are represented as constraints in a constraint satisfaction problem. This problem is translated into equivalent order-sorted logic formulae that form a concurrent engineering logic problem. The solution to this problem is determined through interactive constraint satisfaction performed by a deduction system and associated proof strategy. This is illustrated with an example from Printed Wiring Board design.