Web-based navigating system for conceptual mould design with knowledge management

Efficiency and quality are essential demands in mould and moulding manufacturing. Most related enterprises have already expanded from 3C (computer, communication, consumer electronics) to 4C (3C, car) products, which is characterised by smaller quantities and more varieties. For many firms, the shortened life cycle of products presents an unprecedented challenge. This research aims at developing a web-based navigating system for conceptual mould design with knowledge management within the computer-aided design (CAD) embedded browser. This system integrates CAD and web-based management seamlessly by the dedicated application programming interface (API). Based on both customised and standardised procedures, not only does the system prevent probable engineering mistakes and accumulate valuable knowledge, but also generates consistent web reports and shortens mould-design processes from 1 ～ 2 days by senior engineers to a couple of hours normally. In the case study of this paper, using the web-based navigating system can result in time savings up to 66%. The results show significant time savings over the conventional design process.     

Computer tools for integrated conceptual design

This paper outlines the conceptual design process with reference to the integrated computer-aided design tool known as Schemebuilder, and the related work of the Lancaster University Engineering Design Centre. The aim of the Lancaster EDC is to provide highly integrated support for the rapid creation and evaluation of a wide range of outline design schemes. Particular attention is paid to the design of mechatronic systems and devices.     

机构特征挖掘与创新概念设计方法

传统机构设计方法过度仰赖设计者本身专业素养与创意构思,缺乏有系统地利用现有信息,基础回避设计层级中往往无法有效掌握技术的创意概念,导致陷入低阶设计修改的窠臼之中。若能运用专利分析挖掘出机构设计概念,从大量know-how的分析中获得功能设计的know-why,则能于专利中获取相关机构之设计精神。设计方法则导入系统化机构概念设计,提高设计层次,以挖掘出的大量信息为设计基础,汇整出机构设计规范,并将设计规范导入概念设计方法,获得可行机构设计。如此能充分运用现有机构获得创新机构设计,能更有效率且更能掌握机构设计内涵,对于设计者能有效地获得可行设计、避免设计产生雷同而浪费资源,并可缩短研发时程。     

A scheme for functional reasoning in conceptual design

An ideal functional reasoning environment should support designs of any nature, routine or innovative, at any level of detail, as well as through varying levels of detail. In this paper, three existing functional reasoning models are reviewed in this perspective. It has been found that none of these models support all of these requirements. It has been shown that a functional reasoning approach cannot guarantee the generation of solution concepts, which are combinations of known solutions, unless guided by the knowledge of existing solutions. A new model which can support design both across a level of detail and down through levels of detail has been proposed, which, using a divide and rule approach and using recursive problem redefinition while incorporating existing solutions, could support conceptual design. It is also shown that, although the generation of completely new solutions is not supported by the model, the model, when aided by a framework allowing a sustained progress of its knowledge base by transfer of knowledge from existing designs in the form of basic structures and rules of combination, could support generation of designs which otherwise would be considered unsupportable in a systematic way (innovative).     

A heuristic-based approach to conceptual design

In the inherently large space of design, explicating all possible concept variants—to avoid leaving out potential concepts—is astronomically costly, if at all possible. A strategy that can assist designers in exploring and ascertaining design solutions within this vast space is therefore crucial. This work adapts a general best first heuristic algorithm for applications on conceptual design problems. The algorithm is tailored to operate on a model of conceptual design postulated in this paper. The propositions are established by an ordered series of formal definitions and mathematical assertions, which characterizes the complete theoretical model. Via a simple design case study, this product conceptualization approach is demonstrated to strategically guide designers in the exploration of design concepts.     

A multi-agent-based approach for conceptual design synthesis of multi-disciplinary systems

It is encouraged that designers should explore in wide multi-disciplinary solution spaces for finding novel and promising principle solutions to desired functions during conceptual design. However, due to lack of sufficient multi-disciplinary knowledge, it is often difficult for human designers to explore in wide multi-disciplinary solution spaces. Therefore, this paper proposes a multi-agent-based approach for assisting designers in achieving multi-disciplinary conceptual design synthesis. The roles of different kinds of designing agents are identified, and the collaborative mechanisms among these agents are also elaborated. The conceptual design test case of a solar toy demonstrates that the proposed multi-agent-based design synthesis approach, compared with our previous approach, can achieve higher efficiency and better robustness through collaborative conceptual design synthesis.     

基于CAE某发动机加强板成形模具的设计

对某发动机加强板零件进行分析,通过计算及运用相关软件确定其展开尺寸.对弯曲成形模具凹、凸模工作部分运用CAE技术进行设计,并用Mastercam软件来模拟加工,加工时合理选择铣刀与参数设置,可得到较为理想的走刀路线.这样可获得凹、凸模的详细加工过程平面录像,同时可设计出模具的总装图及零件图.     

Behavioural representation and simulation of design concepts for systematic conceptual design of mechatronic systems using Petri Nets

The systematic representation of design concepts is an important requirement for computational support during the conceptual design stage within the process of product development. Behavioural simulation of design concepts is used as a systematic representation framework, and behavioural representation is based on modelling and simulating the behaviour of a design artefact at the conceptual level to perform an overall function, leading to behaviour-based conceptual design. The behaviour-based conceptual design approach is critical for mechatronic systems since they require synergistic integration starting from the initial conceptual design phase. The present study is focused on behavioural representation and simulation of design concepts via discrete event system specification formalism and Petri Nets so as to contribute to systematic conceptual design in mechatronic systems. The paper introduces a representation framework for the behaviour-based conceptual design of mechatronic systems and its implementation on five selected case studies, among laboratory-level educational robots. In addition to Petri Net modelling and computer simulations, the implementation also includes physical simulations of the intended operational behaviours for educational robots on a distributed physical structure called the ‘desktop design model’. In this paper, implementation on one of these case studies, namely the ‘frog robot’, is presented in detail.     

Supporting conceptual design with multiple VR based interfaces

Conventional computer aided design (CAD) systems have not provided enough support for conceptual design partly due to the lack of natural and intuitive human-computer interaction. Currently emerging virtual reality (VR) based techniques offer new ways to overcome these obstacles. In this paper, new CAD user interfaces including two-handed operation, haptic interaction, stereoscopic display and auditory feedback are investigated. The contribution of this work is to develop a new direct, natural and intuitive interaction paradigm required to support conceptual design. This paradigm enables designers to take fuller advantage of their visual, auditory and tactile sensorial channels to create, view, touch, hold, manipulate and listen to computer-generated virtual models. This is done more easily and freely in a more realistic three-dimensional (3D) environment through convenient interface device operation. A new conceptual design system called the LUCID system that fully integrates and implements these VR-based innovative interfaces into one design application is presented. As an approach to the next generation of human-computer interfaces for use in the design activity, the LUCID system has shown particular human computer interface benefits to designers during conceptual design based on the outcome from the user evaluation test.     

Research on conceptual design of mechatronic systems

Based on the fact that function-structure generating and function solving are alternant processes with mutual causality during the conceptual design phase of mechatronic systems, a conceptual design cyclic feedback solving model of a mechatronic system is put forward on the basis of mapping between function layer, effect layer, working principle layer and structure layer. The process of solving single and system functions is analysed. Key technologies of interface matching and function solving are then advanced. Finally, a computer-aided conceptual design automatic software system for mechatronic systems is developed and the conceptual design of a computerised embroidery machine is given as an example. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50375045) and the Shanxi Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20041070).     

基于概念设计的三维包装创意设计系统的技术和实现

本文介绍了一种基于概念设计的三维包装创意设计系统 .该系统具有常规包装创意设计系统的各项功能 ,同时支持概念设计中的在无特征无数字约束的状态下用鼠标拖动定性建模修改 ,能够更好地协助设计师进行创意构思     

Supporting conceptual design with multiple VR based interfaces

Conventional computer aided design (CAD) systems have not provided enough support for conceptual design partly due to the lack of natural and intuitive human–computer interaction. Currently emerging virtual reality (VR) based techniques offer new ways to overcome these obstacles. In this paper, new CAD user interfaces including two-handed operation, haptic interaction, stereoscopic display and auditory feedback are investigated. The contribution of this work is to develop a new direct, natural and intuitive interaction paradigm required to support conceptual design. This paradigm enables designers to take fuller advantage of their visual, auditory and tactile sensorial channels to create, view, touch, hold, manipulate and listen to computer-generated virtual models. This is done more easily and freely in a more realistic three-dimensional (3D) environment through convenient interface device operation. A new conceptual design system called the LUCID system that fully integrates and implements these VR-based innovative interfaces into one design application is presented. As an approach to the next generation of human–computer interfaces for use in the design activity, the LUCID system has shown particular human computer interface benefits to designers during conceptual design based on the outcome from the user evaluation test.     

A hybrid case-based reasoning CAD system for injection mould design

Injection mould design generally lies on the critical path of a new product development. The design efficiency will have significant impact on the overall lead time of a new product. This paper presents a prototype injection mould-design system using a hybrid case-based reasoning (HCBR) approach. Case-based reasoning (CBR) is a solving paradigm that uses previous episodes on solving problems similar to the problem at hand (the new problem) as the basis for solving the new problem. In this hybrid system, CBR is incorporated with generalized design knowledge, and provides a flexible and comprehensive model of design. The knowledge base of the system would be accessed by mould designers through interactive programs so that their own intelligence and experience could also be incorporated with the total mould design. The approach provides a workable model of mould design system with CBR and knowledge-based expert system intelligent support, which could suggest good and proven design solutions to new design problems quickly, avoiding the time necessary to create those designs from scratch, for the plastic products manufacturing industry.     

New conceptual design of aeroelastic wing structures by multi-objective optimization

Internal structural layouts and component sizes of aircraft wing structures have a significant impact on aircraft performance such as aeroelastic characteristics and mass. This work presents an approach to achieve simultaneous partial topology and sizing optimization of a three-dimensional wing-box structure. A multi-objective optimization problem is assigned to optimize lift effectiveness, buckling factor and mass of a structure. Design constraints include divergence and flutter speeds, buckling factor and stresses. The topology and sizing design variables for wing internal components are based on a ground element approach. The design problem is solved by multi-objective population-based incremental learning (MOPBIL). The Pareto optimum results lead to unconventional wing structures that are superior to their conventional counterparts.     

产品基因及其在能量转换功能求解中的应用

 提出了能量转换型原理解的产品基因模型,构造了能量型产品基因知识库,建立了基于产品基因的启发式原理方案求解模型,并给出了求解实例。     

An innovation funnel process for set-based conceptual design via DOE exploration,DEA selection and computer simulation

This paper presents a conceptual design approach including pattern creation from designers, alternative exploration with a DOE matrix, alternative analysis via computer simulation and alternative selection by DEA analysis. Designers possessing domain knowledge create various design patterns to meet the requirements of product performance and customer expectations. Then, based on these design patterns, the alternatives, considered as decision-making units (DMUs), are extracted from various quality level combinations by following the use of the DOE matrix. The nature of the DOE matrix ensures that distinctive representatives are constructed for all design alternatives. The total alternatives (DMUs) consist of the alternatives associated with all the patterns. Computer simulation with ANSYS software is introduced to convert the quality level combination of each alternative (DMU) into simulated outputs, which are further categorised into DEA inputs and DEA outputs for DEA frontier analysis. Four DEA methods, CCR-min input, CCR-max output, BCC-min input and BCC-max output, are used for analysing typical market representatives resulting from market uncertainty. The found efficiencies are used to rank and select the explored alternatives (DMUs) for the next stage of the detailed design. A bike-frame product is chosen as an example to demonstrate the proposed approach. The results clearly show that the proposed approach enables designers to economically select appropriate design alternatives that satisfy performance expectations during the conceptual design stage.