介绍了智能CAD的概念和发展 ,分析了人工神经网络 (ANN)的特点 ,针对目前机械设计专家系统存在的问题 ,提出将ANN应用到专家系统的设计中 ,是进行智能CAD的一条有效途径。介绍了ANN在概念设计、设计过程中形象思维的模拟、知识的获取和表示、回溯问题的模拟等方面的应用 The concept and development of intelligent CAD are introduced. The characteristics of artificial neural network (ANN) are analyzed. Aiming at the existing problems of mechanical design expert system, this paper puts forward that applying ANN to the design of expert system is an effective way to carry out intelligent CAD. The application of ANN in the conceptual design, the simulation of the image thinking in the process of design, the acquisition and representation of knowledge, the simulation of retrospective problems and so on