IMPLEMENTATION AND UNIFORM MANAGEMENT OF MODELLING ENTITIES IN A MASSIVELY FEATURE-OBJECT ORIENTED ADVANCED CAD ENVIRONMENT

Today we are spectators of the transition process in computer aided design from traditional geometry based on design systems to advanced computer-based engineering systems. The key is the feature technology that allows both integrating and managing modelling entities in a coherent way. Feature technology is developing rapidly. New research topics and contexts are emerging from time to time. This paper introduces concept, design and technological feature-objects to support operational, structural and morphological modelling of mechanical products. First, the feature-centred approaches to conceptual design are summarized and evaluated. Then an implementation of concept feature-objects and the methodology for using them is presented. The strength of concept feature-objects is in their morphology inclusive nature. They appear as parametrized three-dimensional skeletons providing geometrical representations for the modelled engineering conceptions. A concept feature-object models the physical ports, contact surfaces related to ports, bones between ports, DOF of ports, relevant physical parameters, scientific and empirical descriptions of intentional transformations and environmental effects. Concept feature-objects are related to design feature-objects that, in turn, are constructed of a relevant set of technological feature-entities. Concept feature-objects refer to the configurable and parametrized design feature-objects through an indexing mechanism. The conceptions have been tested during the programming and further development of the authors' PRODES system

The Systematic Design of Industrial Products through Design Archetypes: An Application on Mechanical Transmissions

Engineering design is a knowledge intensive activity for both new and mature technical systems, such as mechanical transmissions. However, design knowledge is often transferred with conservative and unstructured approaches, although knowledge management would be of the utmost importance for modern industries. In this work, we introduce a design tool, called design archetype, for collecting and managing knowledge in systematic design processes. The design archetype addresses input design requirements for different design concepts, therefore, improving awareness of the design process by interactively modifying the design solution due to different input requirements. Finally, the design archetype updates the parameters of a first embodiment computer-aided design model of the concept. A method for the development of design archetypes is presented and applied to two case studies of mechanical transmission subassemblies. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of a systematic design method based on design archetypes stored in the company database

Re-Design of a Packaging Machine Employing Linear Servomotors: a Description of Modelling Methods and Engineering Tools

open4noPosition-controlled servo-systems mostly make use of electric rotary motors and gearboxes and, if necessary, a transmission mechanism to convert rotary into linear motion. Even so, especially in the field of automatic machines for packaging, it should be highlighted that most of the required movements are usually linear, so that Linear Electric Motors (LEM) should somehow represent a more convenient solution for designers. LEM can directly generate the required trajectory avoiding any intermediate mechanism, thus potentially minimizing the number of linkages/mechanical parts and, therefore, the undesired backlash and compliance that come along. On the other hand, particularly within small-medium enterprises, LEM may be rarely employed despite obvious advantages, mostly due to their high-cost as compared to rotary actuators and the lack of knowledge of the achievable performance. In light of these considerations, the present paper reports an industrial case study where an automatic machine for packaging, comprising distributed actuation and several tasks requiring a linear motion, has been completely redesigned employing different kind of LEM (i.e. iron-core and iron-less). Such machine architecture is compared to a “traditional” design where brushless gear-motors are coupled to linkage systems. The paper mainly focuses on the selection criteria for the LEM system and on the engineering tools employed during the different design stages. Qualitative and quantitative conclusions are finally drawn, which may provide useful hints for designers that are willing to actually employ LEM-based solutions in an industrial scenarioopenBerselli, Giovanni; Bilancia, Pietro; Bruzzone, Luca; Fanghella, PietroBerselli, Giovanni; Bilancia, Pietro; Bruzzone, Luca; Fanghella, Pietr

Review of research in feature-based design

Research in feature-based design is reviewed. Feature-based design is regarded as a key factor towards CAD/CAPP integration from a process planning point of view. From a design point of view, feature-based design offers possibilities for supporting the design process better than current CAD systems do. The evolution of feature definitions is briefly discussed. Features and their role in the design process and as representatives of design-objects and design-object knowledge are discussed. The main research issues related to feature-based design are outlined. These are: feature representation, features and tolerances, feature validation, multiple viewpoints towards features, features and standardization, and features and languages. An overview of some academic feature-based design systems is provided. Future research issues in feature-based design are outlined. The conclusion is that feature-based design is still in its infancy, and that more research is needed for a better support of the design process and better integration with manufacturing, although major advances have already been made

A Formulation of Complexity-Based Rules for the Preliminary Design Stage of Robotic Architectures

International audienceIn this paper we propose a formulation capable of measuring the complexity of robotic architectures at the conceptual-design stage. The motivation lies in providing a tool to the robot designer when selecting the best alternative among various candidates generated at the early stages of the design process, when a parametric design is not yet available. While the performance evaluation of a robot includes many criteria, we focus on: the kinetostatic, the elastostatic and the elastodynamic performances; workspace volume; actuation complexity and the life-cycle cost. Within the realm of conceptual design, characterized by the absence of a mathematical model, it is not possible to optimize the performance at hand using classical mathematical programming methods. In this paper, a set of rules derived from robotics knowledge is outlined. These rules are then used to formulate a complexity measure used to filter-out less promising architectures at the conceptual stage. The complete formulation is applied to the development of a six-degree-of-freedom robot with low topological complexity, high performance and low actuation-system complexity. A complexity-comparison between the proposed architecture, the DIESTRO and the PUMA robots, is also provided

Optimal Design of Beam-Based Compliant Mechanisms via Integrated Modeling Frameworks

Beam-based Compliant Mechanisms (CMs) are increasingly studied and implemented in precision engineering due to their advantages over the classic rigid-body mechanisms, such as scalability and reduced need for maintenance. Straight beams with uniform cross section are the basic modules in several concepts, and can be analyzed with a large variety of techniques, such as Euler-Bernoulli beam theory, Pseudo-Rigid Body (PRB) method, chain algorithms (e.g.~the Chained Beam-Constraint Model, CBCM) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). This variety is unquestionably reduced for problems involving special geometries, such as curved or spline beams, variable section beams, nontrivial shapes and, eventually, contacts between bodies. 3D FEA (solid elements) can provide excellent results but the solutions require high computational times. This work compares the characteristics of modern and computationally efficient modeling techniques (1D FEA, PRB method and CBCM), focusing on their applicability in nonstandard problems. In parallel, as an attempt to provide an easy-to-use environment for CM analysis and design, a multi-purpose tool comprising Matlab and modern Computer-Aided Design/Engineering (CAD/CAE) packages is presented. The framework can implement different solvers depending on the adopted behavioral models. Summary tables are reported to guide the designers in the selection of the most appropriate technique and software architecture. The second part of this work reports demonstrative case studies involving either complex shapes of the flexible members or contacts between the members. To improve the clarity, each example has been accurately defined so as to present a specific set of features, which leads in the choice of a technique rather than others. When available, theoretical models are provided for supporting the design studies, which are solved using optimization approaches. Software implementations are discussed throughout the thesis. Starting from previous works found in the literature, this research introduces novel concepts in the fields of constant force CMs and statically balanced CMs. Finally, it provides a first formulation for modeling mutual contacts with the CBCM. For validation purposes, the majority of the computed behaviors are compared with experimental data, obtained from purposely designed test rigs

Knowledge-based design support and inductive learning

Designing and learning are closely related activities in that design as an ill-structure problem involves identifying the problem of the design as well as finding its solutions. A knowledge-based design support system should support learning by capturing and reusing design knowledge. This thesis addresses two fundamental problems in computational support to design activities: the development of an intelligent design support system architecture and the integration of inductive learning techniques in this architecture.This research is motivated by the belief that (1) the early stage of the design process can be modelled as an incremental learning process in which the structure of a design problem or the product data model of an artefact is developed using inductive learning techniques, and (2) the capability of a knowledge-based design support system can be enhanced by accumulating and storing reusable design product and process information.In order to incorporate inductive learning techniques into a knowledge-based design model and an integrated knowledge-based design support system architecture, the computational techniques for developing a knowledge-based design support system architecture and the role of inductive learning in Al-based design are investigated. This investigation gives a background to the development of an incremental learning model for design suitable for a class of design tasks whose structures are not well known initially.This incremental learning model for design is used as a basis to develop a knowledge-based design support system architecture that can be used as a kernel for knowledge-based design applications. This architecture integrates a number of computational techniques to support the representation and reasoning of design knowledge. In particular, it integrates a blackboard control system with an assumption-based truth maintenance system in an object-oriented environment to support the exploration of multiple design solutions by supporting the exploration and management of design contexts.As an integral part of this knowledge-based design support architecture, a design concept learning system utilising a number of unsupervised inductive learning techniques is developed. This design concept learning system combines concept formation techniques with design heuristics as background knowledge to build a design concept tree from raw data or past design examples. The design concept tree is used as a conceptual structure for the exploration of new designs.The effectiveness of this knowledge-based design support architecture and the design concept learning system is demonstrated through a realistic design domain, the design of small-molecule drugs one of the key tasks of which is to identify a pharmacophore description (the structure of a design problem) from known molecule examples.In this thesis, knowledge-based design and inductive learning techniques are first reviewed. Based on this review, an incremental learning model and an integrated architecture for intelligent design support are presented. The implementation of this architecture and a design concept learning system is then described. The application of the architecture and the design concept learning system in the domain of small-molecule drug design is then discussed. The evaluation of the architecture and the design concept learning system within and beyond this particular domain, and future research directions are finally discussed

Tangible user interfaces : past, present and future directions

In the last two decades, Tangible User Interfaces (TUIs) have emerged as a new interface type that interlinks the digital and physical worlds. Drawing upon users' knowledge and skills of interaction with the real non-digital world, TUIs show a potential to enhance the way in which people interact with and leverage digital information. However, TUI research is still in its infancy and extensive research is required in or- der to fully understand the implications of tangible user interfaces, to develop technologies that further bridge the digital and the physical, and to guide TUI design with empirical knowledge. This paper examines the existing body of work on Tangible User In- terfaces. We start by sketching the history of tangible user interfaces, examining the intellectual origins of this field. We then present TUIs in a broader context, survey application domains, and review frame- works and taxonomies. We also discuss conceptual foundations of TUIs including perspectives from cognitive sciences, phycology, and philoso- phy. Methods and technologies for designing, building, and evaluating TUIs are also addressed. Finally, we discuss the strengths and limita- tions of TUIs and chart directions for future research