scholarly journals Quantitative Inference in a Mechanical Design ‘Compiler’

1993 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. Ward ◽  
W. P. Seering

This paper presents the ideas underlying a computer program that takes as input a schematic of a mechanical or hydraulic power transmission system, plus specifications and a utility function, and returns catalog numbers from predefined catalogs for the optimal selection of components implementing the design. Unlike programs for designing single components or systems, this program provides the designer with a high level “language” in which to compose new designs. It then performs some of the detailed design process for him. The process of “compilation,” or transformation from a high to a low level description, is based on a formalization of quantitative inferences about hierarchically organized sets of artifacts and operating conditions. This allows design compilation without the exhaustive enumeration of alternatives. The paper introduces the formalism, illustrating its use with examples. It then outlines some differences from previous work, and summarizes early tests and conclusions.

Author(s):  
A. C. Ward ◽  
W. P. Seering

Abstract This paper introduces the theory underlying a computer program that takes as input a schematic of a mechanical or hydraulic power transmission system, plus specifications and a utility function, and returns catalog numbers from predefined catalogs for the optimal selection of components implementing the design. Unlike programs for designing single components or systems, this program provides the designer with a high level “language“ in which to compose new designs. It then performs much of the detailed design process. The process of “compilation”, or transformation from a high to a low level description, is based on a formalization of quantitative inferences about hierarchically organized sets of artifacts and operating conditions. This allows design compilation without the exhaustive enumeration of alternatives. The paper introduces the formalism, illustrating its use with examples. It then outlines some differences from previous work, and summarizes early tests and conclusions.


Author(s):  
Walid Habib ◽  
Allen C. Ward

Abstract The “labeled interval calculus” is a formal system that performs quantitative inferences about sets of artifacts under sets of operating conditions. It refines and extends the idea of interval constraint propagation, and has been used as the basis of a program called a “mechanical design compiler,” which provides the user with a “high level language” in which design problems for systems to be built of cataloged components can be quickly and easily formulated. The compiler then selects optimal combinations of catalog numbers. Previous work has tested the calculus empirically, but only parts of the calculus have been proven mathematically. This paper presents a new version of the calculus and shows how to extend the earlier proofs to prove the entire system. It formalizes the effects of toleranced manufacturing processes through the concept of a “selectable subset” of the artifacts under consideration. It demonstrates the utility of distinguishing between statements which are true for all artifacts under consideration, and statements which are merely true for some artifact in each selectable subset.


1993 ◽  
Vol 115 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. Ward ◽  
W. P. Seering

A mechanical design “compiler” has been developed which, given an appropriate schematic, specifications, and utility function for a mechanical design, returns catalog numbers for an optimal implementation. The compiler has been successfully tested on a variety of mechanical and hydraulic power transmission designs, and a few temperature sensing designs. Times required have been at worst proportional to the logarithm of the number of possible combinations of catalog numbers.


2021 ◽  
pp. 172-181
Author(s):  
Oksana Y. Vasileva ◽  
Marina V. Nikulina Nikulina ◽  
Juri I. Platov Platov

The article deals with the problem of selecting efficient ships by the feasibility study in which brake power, main dimensions, payload, speed and fuel consumption are determined. The necessity of using the proposed selection at the initial stage of the ship's design is justified; the problems that arise at the present time are denoted. The purpose of the article is to propose a criterion for the selection of efficient vessels, "tied" to the operating conditions, based on the marginal cost of the ship. A method for its determination is presented. At the same time, annual revenues and operating costs should be determined by modern methods of business planning for the operation of the fleet. When searching for the parameters of the ship, the optimal fuel consumption is determined. The rest of the costs can be found according to the coefficients "tied" to the fuel consumption and calculated on the basis of existing prototypes. The results of calculations by the proposed method are shown; its merits and opportunities for improvement are noted with the availability of relevant information. The conclusion is made about the convenience and applicability of the proposed option for selecting efficient ship for the feasibility study based on optimization methods for determining the parameters of vessels under conditions of a high level of use of information technologies.


Author(s):  
S C Burgess

Shape factors and material indices have been recently developed for the optimal design of load-bearing beams and shafts. These shape factors and material indices are generally only applicable where there are no dimensional constraints. However, dimensional constraints are very common in mechanical design because of the integrated nature of modern machinery and equipment. This paper extends the methodology of a previous paper by Ashby by developing the shape factors and material indices for the case of constrained height in beams. The paper also shows that dimensional constraints can have a very significant effect on the optimal selection of material and shape.


Author(s):  
Allen C. Ward ◽  
Tomás Lozano-Pérez ◽  
Warren P. Seering

We show that the usual notion of constraint propagation is but one of a number of similar inferences useful in quantitative reasoning about physical objects. These inferences are expressed formally as rules for the propagation of ‘labeled intervals’ through equations. We prove the rules' correctness and illustrate their utility for reasoning about objects (such as motors or transmissions) which assume a continuum of different states. The inferences are the basis of a ‘mechanical design compiler’, which has correctly produced detailed designs from ‘high level’ descriptions for a variety of power transmission and temperature sensing systems.


Author(s):  
R. Hibino ◽  
M. Osawa ◽  
K. Kono ◽  
K. Yoshizawa

A torque converter lock-up clutch slip control system, which is designed to improve fuel economy, must be able to precisely regulate slip speed. Also the system must have a high level of robustness for coping with changes in the operating conditions and any deterioration in the automatic transmission fluid and the clutch. Moreover, to reduce the design time, the design process must be as simple as possible. In this paper, we first propose a loop shaping that aims to optimize complementary sensitivity function of the control system, while satisfying the abovementioned requirements of performance and robustness. Next, a method for simplifying the design process is proposed, that is, a model and a controller are expressed by interpolation. A controller set, which has a relationship of duality to the interpolation parameters of the model, is created in advance so that the construction of a new control system can be realized by identifying the characteristic parameters only. From application to the actual design process for a vehicle, we verified that the design time was reduced to less than 1∕3 of that required for the conventional method. This new method has already been adopted for the design and fitting of new products.


Author(s):  
David Inkermann ◽  
Carsten Stechert ◽  
Thomas Vietor

There is an increasing need for products that are able to react to changing operating conditions and user demands to achieve a high level of performance. Adaptronic solutions allow for property adjustments without major effects on system weight and size when they are applied in early phases of the design process. Since a framework for the design of adaptronic solutions is not yet established, this paper introduces an initial procedure and principles to provide design knowledge. The paper first gives an overview on adaptronics and adaptability as well as principles and guidelines for designing adaptable products. Fifteen adaptronic solution principles are derived from adaptronic solutions to provide the information needed for the design of adaptable products. A framework is proposed to apply the introduced principles within the conceptual design phase to avoid design conflicts and undesired effects. Finally, the framework is used for the design of adaptive joints for robotic applications.


Author(s):  
C. F. Kirschman ◽  
G. M. Fadel

Abstract Customer satisfaction is critical to product success. Yet evaluation methods that directly consider the customer’s wants and that are applicable at various stages of the design process are few. This paper proposes three metrics that provide the designer with a means to evaluate designs based on customer attributes: Pleasure, Protection, and Inverse Cost (Icost). These metrics are general enough to be used in conceptual design but broad enough to evaluate finished products. In addition to describing the metrics in detail, this work describes how they are used to provide a selection technique for choosing generic forms to fulfill functions at the conceptual stage of mechanical design. At this stage, there are often many alternatives to select from based on a large number of attributes. This technique uses the new metrics in combination with an adaptation of the utility theory to provide a means for the designer to organize the information and choose between alternatives while maintaining a customer viewpoint.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document