Customisable knowledge bases for conceptual design

1998 ◽  
pp. 214-222
Author(s):  
John Miles ◽  
Lynne Moore ◽  
Ian Bradley
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Knowledge Bases

Conceptual Design for Assembly

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santiago V. Lombeyda ◽  
William C. Regli
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Collaborative Design ◽  
Collaborative Work ◽  
Level Structure ◽  
Knowledge Bases ◽  
Design Engineers ◽  
Cad Databases ◽  
Design Activities ◽  
High Level ◽  
Case Based

Abstract This paper presents an approach to support computer-aided conceptual design of mechatronic assemblies in a collaborative, multi-user environment. We describe a system, Conceptual Understanding and Prototyping (CUP), that allows a team of design engineers, collaborating over the Internet, to develop a high-level structure-function-behavior (S-B-F) description of an assembly in a VRML-based virtual environment. Our goal is to enable users to navigate intricate product data management (PDM) and case-based design knowledge-bases, providing the ability to perform design at conceptual level and have intelligent CAD tools that can draw on details from large repositories of previously archived designs. This work furthers research efforts in computer support for collaborative design activities — drawing on work in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Computer Supported Collaborative Work (CSCW). We envision CUP to be a network interface to next-generation of engineering PDM systems and CAD databases. We are deploying CUP as query interface to the National Design Repository (http://repos.mcs.drexel.edu). This will enable CAD users to interrogate large quantities of legacy data and identify artifacts with structural and functional similarities — allowing designers to perform case-based and variant design.

Design Ideation Framework to Support Reframing and Reformulation

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumit Sunil Narsale ◽  
Ying Chen ◽  
Maryam Khorshidi ◽  
Jami J. Shah
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Analogical Reasoning ◽  
Problem Formulation ◽  
Knowledge Bases ◽  
Computer Tool ◽  
Alternative Generation ◽  
Organizational Framework ◽  
Design Ideation

The long term aim of this research is to develop a framework for holistic ideation which will integrate both intuitive and experiential methods. Towards that goal, we have developed a computer tool that consists of a variety of disparate knowledge-bases, databases and design repositories that the designer can choose from as his ideation state evolves. Such a strategy is in contrast with the approach of using a single ideation method/tool. Conceptual design requires both problem formulation/re-formulation and alternative generation. This paper discusses an organizational framework to support reformulation and ideation in a multi-tool environment. The proposed framework consists of cascading hierarchical morphological charts that are dynamic. We also discuss how this framework can be used in supporting provocative stimuli, analogical reasoning and make random or deliberate connections between sub-solutions. Web implementation of the tool will make it available to the design community for education and experimentation.

Design Ideator: A Conceptual Design Toolbox

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Narsale ◽  
Y. Chen ◽  
M. Mohan ◽  
Jami J. Shah
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Analogical Reasoning ◽  
Divergent Thinking ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Problem Formulation ◽  
Knowledge Bases ◽  
Concept Generation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Aided Design

Computer tools for embodiment and detailed engineering design (computer-aided design (CAD)) evolved rapidly in the past 35 years and are now pervasive throughout the industry. But todays commercial CAD is geometry-centric, not appropriate for early stages of design when detailed geometry and dimensions are not known. This paper describes a framework and a set of interconnected tools for conceptual design. In this system, a broad range of intuitive and experiential concept generation methods have been operationalized and implemented as databases, artifact repositories, knowledge bases, and interactive procedures to promote divergent thinking. The so-called “Design Ideator” includes methods for flexible and dynamic design problem formulation, re-formulation, and restructuring in the form of hierarchical and re-configurable morphological charts. This tool has been continuously enhanced through three phases of user studies and feedback. The main contributions of this work are as follows. First, this research has created a holistic framework with interlaced knowledge bases from a wide range of methods, as opposed to past research that have relied on single experiential only method. Second, we have formulated algorithms to support several intuitive methods, such as contextual shifting, analogical reasoning, provocative stimuli, and combinatorial play.

OPAS: Ontology Processing for Assisted Synthesis of Conceptual Design Solutions

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franc¸ois Christophe ◽  
Raivo Sell ◽  
Alain Bernard ◽  
Eric Coatane´a
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Systems Engineering ◽  
System Modeling ◽  
Knowledge Bases ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Synthesis Process ◽  
Modeling Language ◽  
Engineering System ◽  
Modeling Languages ◽  
Knowledge Representations

This article focuses on a key phase of the conceptual design, the synthesis of structural concepts of solution. Several authors have described this phase of Engineering Design. The Function-Behavior-Structure (FBS) is one of these models. This study is based on the combined use of a modified version of Gero’s FBS model and the latest developments of modeling languages for systems engineering. System Modeling Language (SysML) is a general-purpose graphical modeling language for specifying, analyzing, designing, and verifying complex systems. Our development shows how SysML types of diagrams match with our updated vision of the FBS model of conceptual design. The objective of this paper is to present the possibility to use artificial intelligence tools as members of the design team for supporting the synthesis process. The common point of expert systems developed during last decades for the synthesis of conceptual solutions is that their knowledge bases were application dependent. Latest research in the field of Ontology showed the possibility to build knowledge representations in a reusable and shareable manner. This allows the construction of knowledge representation for engineering in a more generic manner and dynamic mapping of the ontology layers. We present here how processing on ontology allows the synthesis of conceptual solutions.

Comparing Two Levels of Functional Detail for Mapping Historical Failures: You Are Only as Good as Your Knowledge Base

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael E. Stock ◽  
Robert B. Stone ◽  
Irem Y. Tumer
Keyword(s):  
Failure Analysis ◽  
Knowledge Base ◽  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Knowledge Bases ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Analysis Methods ◽  
Functional Models ◽  
High Level

When failure analysis and prevention, guided by historical design knowledge, are coupled with product design at its conception, shorter design cycles are possible. By decreasing the design time of a product in this manner, design costs are reduced and the product will better suit the customer’s needs. Prior work indicates that similar failure modes occur within products (or components) with similar functionality. To capitalize on this finding, a knowledge base of historical failure information linked to functionality is assembled for use by designers. One possible use for this knowledge base is within the Elemental Function-Failure Design Method (EFDM). This design methodology and failure analysis tool is implemented during conceptual design and keeps the designer congnizant of failures that are likely to occur based on the product’s functionality. EFDM offers potential improvement over current failure analysis methods, such as FMEA, FMECA, and Fault Tree Analysis, because it can be implemented hand in hand with other conceptual design steps and carried throughout a product’s design cycle. These other failure analysis methods can only truly be effective after a physical design has been completed. EFDM however is only as good as the knowledge base that it draws from, and therefore it is of utmost importance to develop a knowledge base that will be suitable for use across a wide spectrum of products. One fundamental question that arises in using EFDM is: At what level of detail should functional descriptions of components be encoded? This paper explores two approaches to populating a knowledge base with actual failure occurrence information from Bell 206 helicopters. Functional models expressed at various levels of detail are investigated to determine the necessary detail for an applicable knowledge base that can be used by designers in both new designs as well as redesigns. High level and more detailed functional descriptions are derived for each failed component based on NTSB accident reports. To best record this data, standardized functional and failure mode vocabularies are used. Two separate function-failure knowledge bases are then created and compared. Results indicate that encoding failure data using more detailed functional models allows for a more robust knowledge base. Interestingly however, when applying EFDM, high level descriptions continue to produce useful results when using the knowledge base generated from the detailed functional models.

Feature modeling based on design catalogues for principle conceptual design

1996 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 347-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Peien ◽  
Xu Guorong ◽  
Zhang Mingjun
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Knowledge Bases ◽  
Action Principle ◽  
Feature Modeling ◽  
Design Knowledge ◽  
Feature Models ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
General Computer

AbstractThe research on new types of design knowledge bases and conceptual solution catalogues is an advanced subject of design methodology. Using the separate function as an example, this paper establishes design catalogues for principle conceptual design to realize the function, and proposes a general computer-oriented action principle design process. Upon studying the relationship of knowledge in the process, this paper represents functions of action principles in function feature models and provides computer-oriented feature models for action principle design.

A knowledge management methodology for the integrated assessment of WWTP configurations during conceptual design

2012 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Garrido-Baserba ◽  
R. Reif ◽  
I. Rodriguez-Roda ◽  
M. Poch
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Integrated Assessment ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Knowledge Bases ◽  
Wastewater Management ◽  
Process Unit ◽  
Plant Design ◽  
Vast Number ◽  
Innovative Technologies

The current complexity involved in wastewater management projects is arising as the XXI century sets new challenges leading towards a more integrated plant design. In this context, the growing number of innovative technologies, stricter legislation and the development of new methodological approaches make it difficult to design appropriate flow schemes for new wastewater projects. Thus, new tools are needed for the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) conceptual design using integrated assessment methods in order to include different types of objectives at the same time i.e. environmental, economical, technical, and legal. Previous experiences used the decision support system (DSS) methodology to handle the specific issues related to wastewater management, for example, the design of treatment facilities for small communities. However, tools developed for addressing the whole treatment process independently of the plant size, capable of integrating knowledge from many different areas, including both conventional and innovative technologies are not available. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to present and describe an innovative knowledge-based methodology that handles the conceptual design of WWTP process flow-diagrams (PFDs), satisfying a vast number of different criteria. This global approach is based on a hierarchy of decisions that uses the information contained in knowledge bases (KBs) with the aim of automating the generation of suitable WWTP configurations for a specific scenario. Expert interviews, legislation, specialized literature and engineering experience have been integrated within the different KBs, which indeed constitute one of the main highlights of this work. Therefore, the methodology is presented as a valuable tool which provides customized PFD for each specific case, taking into account process unit interactions and the user specified requirements and objectives.

Multi-Modal Knowledge Bases to Facilitate Conceptual Mechanical Design

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong-Seok Park ◽  
Sumit Sunil Narsale ◽  
Pradeep Kumar Mani ◽  
Jami J. Shah
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Problem Formulation ◽  
Knowledge Bases ◽  
Interactive System ◽  
Concept Generation ◽  
Web Based ◽  
External Resources ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Abstraction Levels

Over the past several years we have been building a variety of knowledge bases and tools to support conceptual design of mechanical systems. Both intuitive and logical methods have been embedded into system. An interactive system for concept generation and synthesis based on hierarchical morphological charts has been implemented to serve as an organizational framework. Knowledge bases span a wide range of abstraction levels, from physical effects and working principles at one end, to artifact repositories, linkages/mechanisms and common machine elements. Existing knowledge bases from various sources were combined with those developed in-house to create a comprehensive set. User studies on two previous versions of the tool gave us valuable information about enhancements and improvements, both to the knowledge and to the user interface. This paper describes the third incarnation of our Testbed. The methods are now grouped into six modules: Problem Formulation, Re-formulation, Searching for Standard Solutions, Generating sub-solutions from first principles, Gateways to External Resources, Synthesis and Process Monitoring. In addition, users can monitor their state and process. Multilayer morphological charts provide more flexible options as well as customizable solution sets to users. The Testbed is implemented as a web based application implemented in CakePHP (MVC) and PHP. For storing and retrieving data SQLite was used. This Testbed has the dual purpose of design facilitation for novices and for research on conceptual design and creativity.

Innovative Conceptual Design

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehud Kroll ◽  
Sridhar S. Condoor ◽  
David G. Jansson
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design
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