Neven Pavković

Considering an object-oriented approach to design process planning

The paper describes the structure of an environment for a design system based on a design plan, which represents a design process. The approach presented establishes a flexible structure, which improves and integrates the usage of software tools available in the design process. Possible design plan topologies, the plan generation and exploitation issues are discussed. The structure of the prototype model has been realised in a relational database environment. The potentials of an object-oriented approach to design process planning are analysed, as well as the possible strategies for improving the prototype procedure. Proposals for structuring a design plan with objects and classes are presented.

Consolidation of Methods for Visualization and Management of Engineering Design Data Sets

Existing design support tools and methods struggle to deal with numerous data management situations that arise in medium and large-scale design projects. Authors analyse and compare the suitability and efficiency of several methods for managing and visualization of relationships between engineering objects and propose guidelines for building a framework/interface for consolidated usage of those methods in industrial practice. The proposed matrix- based consolidation methodology builds on findings gathered from two monitored design projects as well as previous research in areas of traceability and visualization. For engineering objects (data sets) that belong to one or two domains which are not hierarchically structured it is argued that a simple matrix interface is sufficient to record the relations. Furthermore, if the engineering objects are hierarchically structured the browser interface is suggested. In the most complex situation, where objects belong to multiple different domains the use of diagrams and digital whiteboards is suggested.

Back-Tracing Technical Progress with Evolutionary Algorithms

This paper investigates the engineering development as an evolutionary process. Therefore it first reveals the benefits of evolutionary algorithms in engineering and considers the evolutionary design. Next it brings a simple analytical model of a common ship hull subjected to service conditions. Finally the optimization in the ship structural design is considered as an evolutionary process tackled by NSGA-II algorithm that is applied in back-tracing of the ship scantling development. The conclusion is that the history of technical development can support comprehension of the role of environment, knowledge, material properties and workmanship in engineering regarding safety, efficiency and manufacturing.

Handling engineering design experience

We present trials in handling of engineering design experience in industrial and academic communities. Advanced CAD/CAM and other computerized supporting tools are applied on different hardware platforms in a network environment, relating to shipbuilding. First, the ship construction process is briefly summarized with emphasis on current design methods and tools. Next, the handling of design experience with respect to increasing importance of remote education and of remote interaction among a number of different internal and external participants with distributed responsibilities, has been investigated. Finally, a framework of a design experience collection in ship construction based on Web technology is provided for network-aided design team collaboration in shipbuilding, as well as for higher-level distance educational purposes.