scholarly journals A Collaborative Framework for Integrated Part and Assembly Modeling

2002 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 256-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Bidarra ◽  
Niels Kranendonk ◽  
Alex Noort ◽  
Willem F. Bronsvoort

An ideal product modeling system should support both part modeling and assembly modeling, instead of just either of them as is the case in most current CAD systems. A good basis for such integration is multiple-view feature modeling, as it allows focusing on different aspects of the product, while at the same time maintaining consistency of all model views. This paper presents a framework that supports synchronous collaborative sessions via Internet, among members of a distributed development team, with such a modeling system. The framework provides facilities for creating a hierarchical product structure, with single and compound components, and meanwhile assigning tasks to team members. The actual design of a single component is supported by a web-client specialized in part design, whereas the specification of assembly relations among components is supported by a web-client specialized in assembly design. All clients make use of the same server, which runs a multiple-view feature modeling system and maintains the complete product model, guaranteeing consistency of the part design and the assembly design views.

Author(s):  
Eelco van den Berg ◽  
Willem F. Bronsvoort

Feature modeling is nowadays the predominant way of product modeling. Functional and geometric information are stored in a single product model, consisting of features such as holes, slots, and ribs. An emerging technology is the application of concepts of feature modeling to freeform shapes. Of particular importance here is that there are often many validity conditions, or constraints, that the resulting freeform feature models should satisfy. An example of this is a maximum curvature constraint on the faces of a particular feature. This paper presents an approach to specify and maintain such validity conditions for freeform feature models.


Author(s):  
Zhuo Lv ◽  
Xu Zhang ◽  
Haoqi Wang ◽  
Wei Ming

The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel assembly information model, hierarchical assembly pair (HAP), as the basis of rapid assembly modeling, which aims to refine the current product-modeling paradigm and forms an advanced product-modeling framework. Apart from the geometry level, this model expresses the designer’s assembly design intent (ADI) at the feature level and part level, thus forming three sub models. Based on the model, some new technologies in the field of CAD can be integrated to promote the ADI’s automatic transformation at different levels and efficient transmission between structure-similar part models. Moreover, as the carrier of ADI, HAP can be embedded into the part models at part modeling stage and instantiated to assemble the parts at assembly modeling stage, thus reducing numerous tedious and error-prone operations such as picking up geometry elements and inputting constraint commands. The example of machine vice proves the validity of the model.


Author(s):  
Srikanth M. Kannapan ◽  
Dean L. Taylor

Abstract Naive interpretations of concurrent engineering may expect extreme parallelization of tasks and simultaneous accommodation of multiple perspectives. In fact, from our efforts at modeling tasks in a MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) pressure sensor design project, it appears that data dependencies due to the structure of tasks and the product itself result in scenarios of decision and action that must be carefully coordinated. This paper refines a previously described information model for defining evolving contexts of product model aspects and team member perspectives, with software agents acting on behalf of team members to execute tasks. The pressure sensor design project is analyzed in the framework of the information model. A scenario of decision and action for design of the pressure sensor is modeled as a design process plan. Conflict on a shared parameter occurs as a consequence of introducing some parallelism between the capacitance and deflection agents in the process. We present a technique for negotiating such conflicts by definition and propagation of utility functions on decision parameters and axiomatic negotiation.


Author(s):  
Stefan Wo¨lkl ◽  
Kristina Shea

The importance of the concept development phase in product development is contradictory to the level and amount of current computer-based support for it, especially with regards to mechanical design. Paper-based methods for conceptual design offer a far greater level of maturity and familiarity than current computational methods. Engineers usually work with software designed to address only a single stage of the concept design phase, such as requirements management tools. Integration with software covering other stages, e.g. functional modeling, is generally poor. Using the requirements for concept models outlined in the VDI 2221 guideline for systematic product development as a starting point, the authors propose an integrated product model constructed using the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) that moves beyond geometry to integrate all necessary aspects for conceptual design. These include requirements, functions and function structures, working principles and their structures as well as physical effects. In order to explore the applicability of SysML for mechanical design, a case study on the design of a passenger car’s luggage compartment cover is presented. The case study shows that many different SysML diagram types are suitable for formal modeling in mechanical concept design, though they were originally defined for software and control system development. It is then proposed that the creation and use of libraries defining generic as well as more complicated templates raises efficiency in modeling. The use of diagrams and their semantics for conceptual modeling make SysML a strong candidate for integrated product modeling of mechanical as well as mechatronic systems.


Author(s):  
Jae Yeol Lee ◽  
Hyun Kim ◽  
Sung-Bae Han

Abstract Network and Internet technology open up another domain for building future CAD/CAM environments. The environment will be global, network-centric, and spatially distributed. In this paper, we present Web-enabled feature-based modeling in a distributed design environment. The presented approach combines the current feature-based modeling technique with distributed computing and communication technology for supporting product modeling and collaborative design activities over the network. The approach is implemented in a client/server architecture, in which Web-enabled feature modeling clients, neutral feature model server, and other applications communicate with one another via a standard communication protocol. The paper discusses how the neutral feature model supports multiple views and maintains naming consistency between geometric entities of the server and clients as the user edits the part in a client. Moreover, it explains how to minimize the network delay between the server and client according to dynamic feature modeling operations.


Author(s):  
Pierre-Alain Yvars

The choice of solution, which a systems architect is confronted with within the framework of a product structure definition, can very quickly prove to be a thorny problem owing to the possible combinatorial system. In this paper, we will offer an alternative resting on the utilization of constraint-based programming techniques for representing and managing such complexity. More precisely, we will dwell on the presentation of a constraint-based approach to the composition relation management of a product class in design. After setting forth all the potential of the constraint-based approach, we will formally explain, in more detail, the six types of relations that seem to be essential to building a class of products. The approach is based on a three-level architectural model. The first level concerns the product model as such, the second supplies a formal representation of this model, whereas the third consists of rendering an arithmetic constraint-based approach to the intermediate model. We will use the discrete constraint satisfaction problems for operating and solving the latter. Our overall approach, from product modeling to resolution, is intended to be a generic one and the case in point will be the design of a functional pivot link between a connecting rod and a piston. The architect can subsequently make his own choices and the tool will automate their propagation by means of the constraint network modeling the problem. A dimensioning architectural model is, thus, obtained in compliance with the original list of requirements.


VINE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 394-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roopesh Kevin Sungkur ◽  
Mayvin Ramasawmy

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose Knowledge4Scrum, a novel knowledge management tool for agile distributed teams. Agile software development (ASD) refers to a group of software development methodologies based on iterative development, where requirements and solutions evolve through collaboration between self-organizing cross-functional teams. The two most widely used methodologies based on the agile philosophy are scrum and extreme programming. Whichever methodology is considered, agile teams usually consist of few members and are collocated under the same roof. However, nowadays, agile practices for distributed development are gaining much momentum. The main reasons behind such practice are cheaper skilled labour, minimizing production cost, reducing time to market and increasing the quality and performance of projects. Along with the benefits obtained through globally distributed development, there are, however, many difficulties faced by various organisations. These problems are caused mostly due to distance, time and cultural differences. To meet up with the level of complexity of projects, ASD also has to keep up with many challenges, especially in cases of distributed teams. Four major challenges have been identified. First, the introduction of global software development entails a number of difficulties, especially related to knowledge sharing. For instance, lack of transparency is frequently observed within such teams, whereby a team member is totally unaware of the activities of his/her colleagues. Second, the unavailability of team members due to time zone differences adds up to the list of problems confronted by distributed teams. Third, there can be misunderstanding amongst the team member due to communication problems, especially in cases where the mother language of the team members is different. Fourth, a common issue faced by distributed teams is the loss of knowledge when an employee resigns from his/her post. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the main problems outlined above, what has been proposed is Knowledge4Scrum, a novel knowledge management tool for agile distributed teams. Knowledge4Scrum will act as a global repository for knowledge sharing in Scrum distributed teams with the possibility of creating new knowledge through data mining techniques. Valid past projects data have been collected to train and test the data mining models. The research also investigates the suitability of knowledge management in Scrum distributed teams to address the various challenges addressed above. Findings – Knowledge4Scrum supports the four knowledge management processes, namely, knowledge creation/acquisition, knowledge storage, knowledge dissemination and knowledge application. It has been found that the aforementioned tool satisfactorily addressed issues of distance, time and cultural differences that crop-up in distributed development teams. Data mining has been the main aspect for the knowledge creation and application processes, whereby new knowledge has been determined by examining and extracting patterns from existing data found in the repository. Originality/value – A major feature of the Knowledge4Scrum tool lies in the knowledge creation and application section, where a number of data mining techniques have been utilised to identify trends and patterns in past data collected. When compared to the COnstructive COst MOdel to estimate project duration, Knowledge4Scrum gives more than satisfactory results. Such functionalities will actually help managers for future project planning and in decision-making.


2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peijun Wang ◽  
Robert Bja¨rnemo ◽  
Damien Motte

With globalization, more and more companies are becoming multisited. Efficient and timely collaboration and communication among the development team members become critical for product success. This paper proposes a web-based virtual environment for mobile phone customization, named VMPDS (Virtual Mobile Phone Design Space). The features of this system include the combination of web technology and VR (Virtual Reality) technology, the ability to deal with and extend the product model database, adequate interaction for three-dimensional product model customization, and usefulness for the examination and evaluation of product concept design. The system is implemented by using standard open technologies to assure accessibility and platform independence.


2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Chen ◽  
Y.-S. Ma ◽  
G. Thimm ◽  
S.-H. Tang

Features allow one to associate human knowledge and product geometry. The authors proposed, in earlier publications, a unified feature modeling scheme with the aim to maintain the integrity and consistency of a product model. Different application feature models within and across different product life-cycle stages are integrated, and especially, nongeometric relations (besides geometric ones) are handled. In this paper, as an improvement to the previous work, two types of associations are introduced: sharing and dependency. In the context of conceptual and detail design stages, these associations are described and the implementation is discussed in detail.


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