Category model to modeling the surface texture knowledge-base

The next generations of Geometrical Product Specification (GPS) standards are considered to be too
theoretical, abstract, complex and over-elaborate. And it is not easier for industry to understand and
implement them efficiently in a short time. An intelligent knowledge-based system, “VirtualSurf” is
being developed to solve the problem, particularly for surface texture knowledge, which is a critical
part of GPS. This system will provide expert knowledge of surface texture to link surface function,
specification of micro- and nano-geometry through manufacture, and verification. The intelligent
knowledge-base should be capable of incorporating knowledge from multiple sources (standards,
books, experts, etc), adding new knowledge from these sources and still remain a coherent reliable
system. A new data model – category model, based on category theory will be adopted to construct
this system.