Tillmann Freund

Uncertainty in Product Modelling within the Development Process

This paper gives an overview about how to locate uncertainty in product modelling within the development process. Therefore, the process of product modelling is systematized with the help of characteristics of product models and typical working steps to develop a product model. Based on that, it is possible to distinguish between product modelling uncertainty, mathematic modelling uncertainty, parameter uncertainty, simulation uncertainty and product model uncertainty.

An Approach to Using Elemental Interfaces to Assess Design Clarity

The authors propose a method to assess the clarity of a design on working principle level. To do so, the Contact and Channel Model is used in an adapted form to differentiate elemental interfaces based on their geometry and function. This classification is used to derive a generic catalogue of elemental interfaces. A product can be represented through a combination of these interfaces and working structures in between. The design clarity can then be assessed through generic information stored in the catalogue. The authors propose a procedure model to implement this method and show exemplarily its applicability. Additionally, main design parameters that strongly affect a product’s behavior can be identified with help of the generic catalogue for every elemental interface. Finally, further steps regarding variability in design parameters are discussed.

Methodical Approaches to Describe and Evaluate Uncertainty in the Transmission Behavior of a Sensory Rod

Load carrying mechanical structures like trusses face uncertainty in loading along with uncertainty in their strength due to uncertainty in the development, production and usage. The uncertainty in production of function integrated rods is investigated, which allows monitoring of load and condition variations that are present in the product in every phase of its lifetime. Due to fluctuations of the semi-finished parts, uncertainty in governing geometrical, mechanical and electrical properties such as Youngs moduli, lengths and piezoelectric charge constants has to be evaluated. The authors compare the different direct methodical approaches Monte-Carlo simulation, fuzzy and interval arithmetic to describe and to evaluate this uncertainty in the development phase of a simplified, linear mathematical model of a sensory rod in a consistent way. The criterion to compare the methodical approaches for uncertainty analysis is the uncertain mechanical-electrical transmission behavior of the sensory rod, which defines the sensitivity of the sensory compound.