Integrated design optimization research and development in an industrial environment

An overview is given of a design optimization project that is in progress at the GE Research and Development Center for the past few years. The objective of this project is to develop a methodology and a software system for design automation and optimization of structural/mechanical components and systems. The effort focuses on research and development issues and also on optimization applications that can be related to real-life industrial design problems. The overall technical approach is based on integration of numerical optimization techniques, finite element methods, CAE and software engineering, and artificial intelligence/expert systems (AI/ES) concepts. The role of each of these engineering technologies in the development of a unified design methodology is illustrated. A software system DESIGN-OPT has been developed for both size and shape optimization of structural components subjected to static as well as dynamic loadings. By integrating this software with an automatic mesh generator, a geometric modeler and an attribute specification computer code, a software module SHAPE-OPT has been developed for shape optimization. Details of these software packages together with their applications to some 2- and 3-dimensional design problems are described

Функциональное проектирование станков, роботов и машин в Autodesk Inventor. Часть I

Навчальний посібник написаний відповідно до програми дисциплін "САПР верстатів та машин" для студентів рівня підготовки "Бакалавр" за напрямками "Машинобудування" та "Галузеве машинобудування". Викладені відомості про основні аспекти процесу створення нових технічних об’єктів, і, зокрема, про функціональний аспект та засоби його реалізації у CAD/CAE системі Autodesk Inventor. В першій частині посібника докладно розглянутий інтерфейс майстра проектування Autodesk Inventor, методи моделювання та розрахунку з’єднань, передач та механізмів за допомогою його генераторів на прикладах вузлів машин, верстатів та роботів. Може бути корисний студентам механічних спеціалізацій вищих технічних навчальних закладів, інженерам, викладачам і науковцям, що займаються розробкою машин та механізмів.The textbook is written in accordance with the program of disciplines "CAD of machine tools and machines" for students of the Bachelor of Engineering level in the areas of "Mechanical Engineering" and " Sectoral machine building ". The above information about the main aspects of the creation of new technical facilities and, in particular, the functional aspect and the means of its implementation in the CAD / CAE system Autodesk Inventor. The first part of textbook detail the interface "Design accelerator" Autodesk Inventor, modeling and calculation of connections, gears and mechanisms using its generator with examples units of machines, machine tools and robots.Учебное пособие написано в соответствии с программой дисциплин "САПР станков и машин" для студентов уровня подготовки «Бакалавр» по направлениям "Машиностроение" и "Отраслевое машиностроение". Изложены сведения об основных аспектах процесса создания новых технических объектов и, в частности, о функциональный аспект и средства его реализации в CAD / CAE системе Autodesk Inventor. В первой части пособия подробно рассмотрен интерфейс мастера проектирования Autodesk Inventor, методы моделирования и расчета соединений, передач и механизмов с помощью его генераторов на примерах узлов машин, станков и роботов. Может быть полезен студентам механических специализаций высших технических учебных заведений, инженерам, преподавателям и научным работникам, занимающихся разработкой машин и механизмов. It may be useful to students of mechanical engineering specialties of higher educational institutions, engineers, teachers and researchers involved in the development of machines and mechanisms

The evolution of a product in a novel project environment

Savremeni CAD/CAM/CAE softverski paketi višestruko uvećavaju mogućnosti projektanta, pokrivajući pri tome celokupan razvojni put proizvoda, od ideje do realizacije tj. proizvodnje. U mnogim segmentima mašinske industrije otvaraju se nove mogućnosti uvođenja jedinstvenog i zaokruženog sistema za projektovanje primenom računara, a samim tim i potpune automatizacije procesa projektovanja. U radu se daju neki primeri razvoja novih proizvoda realizovani na Katedri za proizvodno mašinstvo Mašinskog fakulteta u Beogradu.The novel CAD/CAM/CAE software packages increase engineering capabilities, covering the whole development of a product, from an idea to the production. At many segments of the Mechanical Industry, the new capabilities of introducing a global and rounded projecting system using the computers are opened. The whole process can be automated. In this paper are given some examples of development of the new products obtained at Department of Production Engineering at Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Belgrade.Editor dr Ilija Ćosić COBISS.SR-ID 15709773

Testing in the incremental design and development of complex products

Testing is an important aspect of design and development which consumes significant time and resource in many companies. However, it has received less research attention than many other activities in product development, and especially, very few publications report empirical studies of engineering testing. Such studies are needed to establish the importance of testing and inform the development of pragmatic support methods. This paper combines insights from literature study with findings from three empirical studies of testing. The case studies concern incrementally developed complex products in the automotive domain. A description of testing practice as observed in these studies is provided, confirming that testing activities are used for multiple purposes depending on the context, and are intertwined with design from start to finish of the development process, not done after it as many models depict. Descriptive process models are developed to indicate some of the key insights, and opportunities for further research are suggested

Integrated Process Simulation and Die Design in Sheet Metal Forming

During the recent 10-15 years, Computer Aided Process Planning and Die Design evolved as one of the most important engineering tools in sheet metal forming, particularly in the automotive industry. This emerging role is strongly emphasized by the rapid development of Finite Element Modelling, as well. The purpose of this paper is to give a general overview about the recent achievements in this very important field of sheet metal forming and to introduce some special results in this development activity. Therefore, in this paper, an integrated process simulation and die design system developed at the University of Miskolc, Department of Mechanical Engineering will be analysed. The proposed integrated solutions have great practical importance to improve the global competitiveness of sheet metal forming in the very important segment of industry. The concept described in this paper may have specific value both for process planning and die design engineers

Integrated structural analysis tool using linear matching method part 1 : Software development

A number of direct methods based upon the Linear Matching Method (LMM) framework have been developed to address structural integrity issues for components subjected to cyclic thermal and mechanical load conditions. This paper presents a new integrated structural analysis tool using the LMM framework for the assessment of load carrying capacity, shakedown limit, ratchet limit and steady state cyclic response of structures. First, the development of the LMM for the evaluation of design limits in plasticity is introduced. Second, preliminary considerations for the development of the LMM into a tool which can be used on a regular basis by engineers are discussed. After the re-structuring of the LMM subroutines for multiple CPU solution, the LMM software tool for the assessment of design limits in plasticity is implemented by developing an Abaqus CAE plug-­in with graphical user interfaces. Further demonstration of this new LMM analysis tool including practical application and verification is presented in an accompanying paper

Network support for integrated design

A framework of network support for utilization of integrated design over the Internet has been developed. The techniques presented also applicable for Intranet/Extranet. The integrated design system was initially developed for local application in a single site. With the network support, geographically dispersed designers can collaborate a design task through out the total design process, quickly respond to clients’ requests and enhance the design argilty. In this paper, after a brief introduction of the integrated design system, the network support framework is presented, followed by description of two key techniques involved: Java Saverlet approach for remotely executing a large program and online CAD collaboration

Deep tillage tool optimization by means of finite element method: Case study for a subsoiler tine

Technologies and computer capacity currently available allow us to employ design software and numerical methods to solve complicated problems in very wide disciplines of engineering. It is also important for researches in agriculture. This study focused on obtaining optimum geometry parameters of a subsoiler tine by using computer aided engineering (CAE) applications. A field experiment was conducted to determine draft force of the subsoiler. The results from the experimental study were used in the finite element analysis (FEA) to simulate stress distributions on the subsoiler tine. The maximum equivalent stress of 432.49 MPa was obtained in the FEA. Visual investigations and FEA results showed that according to the tine’s material yield stress point of 355 MPa, plastic deformation was evident. Based on the FEA results, an optimization study was undertaken to obtain optimum geometry parameters without the occurrence of plastic deformation. According to the optimization study results, the optimum parameters of the tine geometry and maximum equivalent stress of 346.61 MPa were obtained. In addition to this, the total mass of the tine was reduced by about 0.367 kg

Integration of knowledge-based system, artificial neural networks and multimedia for gear design

Design is a complicated area consisting of a combination of rules, technical information and personal judgement. The quality of design depends highly on the designer's knowledge and experience. This system attempts to simulate the design process and to capture design expertise by combining artificial neural networks (ANNs) and knowledge based system (KBS) together with multi-media (MM). It has been applied to the design of gears. Within the system the knowledge based system handles clearly defined design knowledge, the artificial neural networks capture knowledge which is difficult to quantify and multi-media provides a user-friendly interface prompting the user to input information and to retrieve results during design process. The finished system illustrates how features of different Artificial Intelligence techniques, KBS, ANNs and MM, are combined in a hybrid manner to conduct complicated design tasks