Konstantin Kittel

Multidisciplinary design optimisation of a recurve bow based on applications of the autogenetic design theory and distributed computing

The focus of this paper is to present a method of multidisciplinary design optimisation based on the autogenetic design theory (ADT) that provides methods, which are partially implemented in the optimisation software described here. The main thesis of the ADT is that biological evolution and the process of developing products are mainly similar, i.e. procedures from biological evolution can be transferred into product development. In order to fulfil requirements and boundary conditions of any kind (that may change at any time), both biological evolution and product development look for appropriate solution possibilities in a certain area, and try to optimise those that are actually promising by varying parameters and combinations of these solutions. As the time necessary for multidisciplinary design optimisations is a critical aspect in product development, ways to distribute the optimisation process with the effective use of unused calculating capacity, can reduce the optimisation time drastically. Finally, a practical example shows how ADT methods and distributed optimising are applied to improve a product.

Optimisation of a bow riser using the autogenetic design theory

The autogenetic design theory (ADT) is an approach aiming at modelling and supporting the design activity as the primary activity within the product development process. A new product development model must consider the mixed process of searching, adopting existing knowledge, learning, evaluating, selecting, and combining. Such methodologies are also found in biological evolution (the corresponding activities there are replication, evaluation, selection, recombination). The ADT is based on the idea that new solutions (individuals) can be developed by the use of evolutionary methodologies. Under the pressure of selection, good properties of the preceding solutions (parents) are passed on to the succeeding solutions (children). \noindent Typically, the riser of a recurve bow has to be of light weight and high stiffness. The challenge for the designer is to find the solution which best meets both demands. Due to the large number of technically possible designs, it is inefficient to model and evaluate more than a few designs manually. By applying the ADT, the designer has the ability to consider a large number of possible designs, which raises the probability of finding the best possible solution. In this case, the ADT allows us to reduce the mass by 22% while keeping the stiffness at the same level.

Modelling and optimisation of mechatronic systems using the autogenetic design theory

The interdisciplinary description and definition of product information from the various disciplines of mechatronics is a necessary requirement for mechatronic design models. Optimisation tools can use such design models in order to explore the potential of mechatronic systems. Such optimisations need to handle numerous parameters as well as goal criteria from different disciplines. This paper presents the first step in setting up such complex optimisation systems. The optimisation of infrared heating zones of industrial annealing simulators covers the most relevant physical aspects, e.g., geometry or heat radiation and allows to optimise the heating zone according to the main requirements such as maximum temperature or homogeneity of temperature.

FE-Berechnung mit Pro/MECHANICA

Die Finite-Elemente-Methode (FE-Methode) wird routinemasig fur Berechnungsaufgaben bspw. im Maschinen-, Apparate- und Fahrzeugbau eingesetzt. Sie gilt als das wohl am weitesten verbreitete numerische Berechnungsverfahren [KLE-07].

The autogenetic design theory and its practical application

The main focus of the paper is to present the autogenetic design theory (ADT) as an evolutionary view of the design process. The ADT is an approach that transfers procedures from the natural evolution into the field of product development. The main thesis of the ADT is that natural evolution and the process of developing products are mainly similar. In order to fulfil requirements and boundary conditions of any kind (that may change at any time), both processes look for appropriate solution possibilities in a certain area, and try to optimise those that are actually promising (in an iterative way) by varying parameters and combinations of these solutions. In the natural evolution, these parameters are the organic bases, in the field of product development, these are the design parameters of the product. This paper gives an introduction to the ADT and presents one aspect (the description of solution space) in more detail. It also presents two practical examples. The first example shows, how a subset of met...

Lösungen der Kontrollfragen

(1) Features ermoglichen die einfache Konstruktion komplexer Geometrien. Features verknupfen die CAD-Geometrie mit zusatzlichen Attributen wie Fertigungshinweisen oder Materialeigenschaften. (2) Beim Erzeugen einer Rotationsskizze ist zusatzlich eine Mittellinie anzugeben, welche der Rotationsbewegung als Achse dient.