W.O. Schotborgh

A knowledge acquisition method to model parametric engineering design processes

This paper proposes an interview-style method to create models of engineering design processes intended for design automation. Development of design automation tools often requires a model of the design artefact, design process or design knowledge. However, the knowledge about product development often resides tacitly inside the mind of designers and is difficult to make explicit. The lack of explicit process models creates a challenge for organisations to improve their design processes. A method is proposed to create explicit models of tacit design knowledge of structured design problems. A standardised model of the design process is used to classify sets of information and processes. The content of the model is filled step-by-step through a series of questions. A prescriptive modelling method reduces the required effort for knowledge modelling and allows design processes to be supported more effectively. The method is demonstrated for a design case with tacit knowledge and a further nine cases are used to demonstrate scalability and comparison between design knowledge of mechanical components and complex product systems.

Towards a Generic Model of Smart Synthesis Tools

Software support for the solution generation phase of the design process did not yet have the same industrial acceptance as e.g. 3D modellers and finite element analysis. The “smart synthesis tools” research project aims to bridge part of this gap between academic research and industrial application. The goal is to deliver a generically applicable method and algorithms to develop dedicated synthesis tools for industrial design processes in a standardized manner. Research addresses problem structuring, mathematical techniques and handling of experience knowledge and qualitative relations. An efficient development methodology is expected to increase the accessibility and applicability of synthesis technology to both the research community and industrial parties.

A Development Methodology for Parametric Synthesis Tools

Software to support the solution generation phase of the engineering design process has been developed in academia for decades. Computational synthesis software enables generation of solutions on both conceptual and embodiment level. This paper focuses on the class of parametric design, such as documented in mechanical engineering handbooks. Examples include machine elements such as bearings, springs, fasteners, transmissions, etc. A parametric synthesis tool automates the engineering design process from functional requirements to quantified solutions, for a single machine element. Since the amount of machine elements is vast and software development time should be low, a generic methodology is helpful to speed up this process. This paper discusses such a methodology to develop synthesis tools for the class of parametric designs. It includes an analysis-oriented approach to formalize the design process’ parameters in terms of embodiment, performance and scenario. Mathematical constraint solving techniques are used to generate candidate solutions. Graphical presentation and exploration of the solution space is done with interactive plots. A standardized layout for the graphical user interface is suggested to allow uniform and intuitive use. A demonstrator is developed using the described methodology and several challenges are discussed for improved constraint solving techniques, more advanced visualization and handling problems with higher complexity. Although small in size, parametric design processes are time consuming due to their reoccurring nature. Developing synthesis tools for these designs will allow engineers to save time and improve design quality.Copyright