In this work, computer-aided process design is carried out to develop an optimal preform of a pressure vessel. Knowledge-based rules are employed to design the preform, and they are formulated using the handbooks of plasticity theories. In the FE-analysis, a commercial finite element code, ABAQUS was employed. Axisymmetric deep drawing of a hemisphere-bottomed cup has been analyzed fur various combinations of die design parameters. The length of the land of die, the clearance between punch and die and the clearance between the blank holder and die are optimized to minimize the forming load. The results of the simulations are verified with the experiments which are scaled down to one tenth of the actual size.