Soft computing and hybrid AI approaches to intelligent manufacturing

The application of pattern recognition (PR) techniques , artificial neural networks (ANNs), and nowadays hybrid artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in manufacturing can be regarded as consecutive elements of a process started two decades ago. The fundamental aim of the paper is to outline the importance of soft computing and hybrid AI techniques in manufacturing by introducing a genetic algorithm (GA) based dynamic job shop scheduler and the integrated use of neural, fuzzy and GA techniques for modeling, control and monitoring purposes.