Towards computer-aided hygienic design: Definition of a knowledge-based system for food processing equipment

Hygienic design requires the definition of rules allowing the correct development of food processing systems. The knowledge collection in this field would certainly help designers and engineers in developing hygienic-compliant systems. This paper aims to provide a knowledge-based (KB) system for gathering hygienic design guidelines for the design of food processing machinery and equipment. The KB system is based on a specific ontology that has been used to collect 78 hygienic design rules from different sources. The rules repository can be considered a backbone for the subsequent development of a CAD-based tool for an automatic search and detection of non-compliant design features. Starting with a CAD model, the KB system was used to check the compliance of a fish stick production machinery. Results highlight how the adoption of the KB system in the early design phase would anticipate hygienic design issues avoiding several design reviews.