A CLIPS/X-window interface

The design and implementation of an interface between the C Language Integrated Production System (CLIPS) expert system development environment and the graphic user interface development tools of the X-Window system are described. The underlying basis of the CLIPS/X-Window is a client-server model in which multiple clients can attach to a single server that interprets, executes, and returns operation results, in response to client action requests. Implemented in an AIX (UNIX) operating system environment, the interface has been successfully applied in the development of graphics interfaces for production rule cooperating agents in a knowledge-based computer aided design (CAD) system. Initial findings suggest that the client-server model is particularly well suited to a distributed parallel processing operational mode in a networked workstation environment

Компьютерное модульное комбинаторно-вариационное моделирование элементов конструкции самолета

Розглянуто питання реалізації методології модульного комбінаторно-варіаційного геометричного моделювання технічних об’єктів на прикладі автоматизованого формоутворення деяких типових елементів конструкції планера літака. Запропонований підхід проілюстровано комп’ютерними моделями, створеними в середовищі програмного пакету SolidWorks. Зроблено узагальнення щодо застосування напрацьованих прийомів конструювання в інших САПР для розробки подібних деталей та вузлів літальних апаратів.This paper considers the methodology of modular combinatorial-variational geometric modeling for technical objects on the example of automated shaping of some typical airplane structural elements. Stringers, beams, frames, spars, etc. were analyzed. Parametric geometric models of these objects were built. The models were combined with structural and parametric tools for effective computer-aided design. The proposed modular approach allows you to improve the performance of the creation processes of complex equipment. These simulation tools can successfully implement a comprehensive optimization of industrial products throughout their life cycle. It is possible to integrate computer structural-parametric geometric models stringers, beams, frames, spars, ribs, etc. with their design, technological and operational models in computer-aided design. The proposed approach is illustrated by computer model created in the environment of the software package SolidWorks. The curves of the second order in the rational parametric form were used for this purpose. Based on them, structurally-parametric solid models of the elements of the aircraft structure were built. Kinematic shaping techniques have been widely used in solving these tasks. Summary of the application of elaborated design techniques in other CAD/CAM/CAE systems to develop such parts and components of aircraft has been made. This applied research area automation design of complex modern techniques has good prospects for further development. However, it needs to carry out further intensive research of such sciences as geometry, design of aircraft, its aerodynamics and strength, manufacturing technology and exploitation to integrate successfully by means of computer information technologies.Рассмотрены вопросы реализации методологии модульного комбинаторно-вариационного геометрического моделирования технических объектов на примере автоматизированного формообразования некоторых типовых элементов конструкции планера самолета. Предложенный подход проиллюстрирован компьютерными моделями, созданными в среде программного пакета SolidWorks. Сделаны обобщения относительно применения предложенных приемов конструирования в других САПР для разработки подобных деталей и узлов летательных аппаратов

A Property Graph Data Model for a Context-Aware Design Assistant

The design of a product requires to satisfy a large number of design rules so as to avoid design errors. [Problem] Although there are numerous technological alternatives for managing knowledge, design departments continue to store design rules in nearly unusable documents. Indeed, existing propositions based on basic information retrieval techniques applied to unstructured engineering documents do not provide good results. Conversely, the development and management of structured ontologies are too laborious. [Proposition] We propose a property graph data model that paves the way to a context-aware design assistant. The property graph data model is a graph-oriented data structure that enables us to formally define a design context as a consolidated set of five sub-contexts: social, semantic, engineering, operational IT, and traceability. [Future work] Connected to or embedded in a Computer Aided Design (CAD) environment, our context-aware design assistant will extend traditional CAD capabilities as it could, for instance, ease: 1) the retrieval of rules according to a particular design context, 2) the recommendation of design rules while a design activity is being performed, 3) the verification of design solutions, 4) the automation of design routines, etc

AI and OR in management of operations: history and trends

The last decade has seen a considerable growth in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for operations management with the aim of finding solutions to problems that are increasing in complexity and scale. This paper begins by setting the context for the survey through a historical perspective of OR and AI. An extensive survey of applications of AI techniques for operations management, covering a total of over 1200 papers published from 1995 to 2004 is then presented. The survey utilizes Elsevier's ScienceDirect database as a source. Hence, the survey may not cover all the relevant journals but includes a sufficiently wide range of publications to make it representative of the research in the field. The papers are categorized into four areas of operations management: (a) design, (b) scheduling, (c) process planning and control and (d) quality, maintenance and fault diagnosis. Each of the four areas is categorized in terms of the AI techniques used: genetic algorithms, case-based reasoning, knowledge-based systems, fuzzy logic and hybrid techniques. The trends over the last decade are identified, discussed with respect to expected trends and directions for future work suggested

Computer-Aided System for Wind Turbine Data Analysis

Context: The current work on wind turbine failure detection focuses on researching suitable signal processing algorithms and developing efficient diagnosis algorithms. The laboratory research would involve large and complex data, and it can be a daunting task. Aims: To develop a Computer-Aided system for assisting experts to conduct an efficient laboratory research on wind turbine data analysis. System is expected to provide data visualization, data manipulation, massive data processing and wind turbine failure detection. Method: 50G off-line SCADA data and 4 confident diagnosis algorithms were used in this project. Apart from the instructions from supervisor, this project also gained help from two experts from Engineering Department. Java and Microsoft SQL database were used to develop the system. Results: Data visualization provided 6 different charting solutions and together with robust user interactions. 4 failure diagnosis solutions and data manipulations were provided in the system. In addition, dedicated database server and Matlab API with Java RMI were used to resolve the massive data processing problem. Conclusions: Almost all of the deliverables were completed. Friendly GUI and useful functionalities make user feel more comfortable. The final product does enable experts to conduct an efficient laboratory research. The end of this project also gave some potential extensions of the system

Considerations for a design and operations knowledge support system for Space Station Freedom

Engineering and operations of modern engineered systems depend critically upon detailed design and operations knowledge that is accurate and authoritative. A design and operations knowledge support system (DOKSS) is a modern computer-based information system providing knowledge about the creation, evolution, and growth of an engineered system. The purpose of a DOKSS is to provide convenient and effective access to this multifaceted information. The complexity of Space Station Freedom's (SSF's) systems, elements, interfaces, and organizations makes convenient access to design knowledge especially important, when compared to simpler systems. The life cycle length, being 30 or more years, adds a new dimension to space operations, maintenance, and evolution. Provided here is a review and discussion of design knowledge support systems to be delivered and operated as a critical part of the engineered system. A concept of a DOKSS for Space Station Freedom (SSF) is presented. This is followed by a detailed discussion of a DOKSS for the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center and Work Package-2 portions of SSF

Modeling, Analysis, and Hard Real-time Scheduling of Adaptive Streaming Applications

In real-time systems, the application's behavior has to be predictable at compile-time to guarantee timing constraints. However, modern streaming applications which exhibit adaptive behavior due to mode switching at run-time, may degrade system predictability due to unknown behavior of the application during mode transitions. Therefore, proper temporal analysis during mode transitions is imperative to preserve system predictability. To this end, in this paper, we initially introduce Mode Aware Data Flow (MADF) which is our new predictable Model of Computation (MoC) to efficiently capture the behavior of adaptive streaming applications. Then, as an important part of the operational semantics of MADF, we propose the Maximum-Overlap Offset (MOO) which is our novel protocol for mode transitions. The main advantage of this transition protocol is that, in contrast to self-timed transition protocols, it avoids timing interference between modes upon mode transitions. As a result, any mode transition can be analyzed independently from the mode transitions that occurred in the past. Based on this transition protocol, we propose a hard real-time analysis as well to guarantee timing constraints by avoiding processor overloading during mode transitions. Therefore, using this protocol, we can derive a lower bound and an upper bound on the earliest starting time of the tasks in the new mode during mode transitions in such a way that hard real-time constraints are respected.Comment: Accepted for presentation at EMSOFT 2018 and for publication in IEEE Transactions on Computer-Aided Design of Integrated Circuits and Systems (TCAD) as part of the ESWEEK-TCAD special issu

A novel haptic model and environment for maxillofacial surgical operation planning and manipulation

This paper presents a practical method and a new haptic model to support manipulations of bones and their segments during the planning of a surgical operation in a virtual environment using a haptic interface. To perform an effective dental surgery it is important to have all the operation related information of the patient available beforehand in order to plan the operation and avoid any complications. A haptic interface with a virtual and accurate patient model to support the planning of bone cuts is therefore critical, useful and necessary for the surgeons. The system proposed uses DICOM images taken from a digital tomography scanner and creates a mesh model of the filtered skull, from which the jaw bone can be isolated for further use. A novel solution for cutting the bones has been developed and it uses the haptic tool to determine and define the bone-cutting plane in the bone, and this new approach creates three new meshes of the original model. Using this approach the computational power is optimized and a real time feedback can be achieved during all bone manipulations. During the movement of the mesh cutting, a novel friction profile is predefined in the haptical system to simulate the force feedback feel of different densities in the bone

Collaborative Engineering Environments. Two Examples of Process Improvement

Companies are recognising that innovative processes are determining factors in competitiveness. Two examples from projects in aircraft development describe the introduction of collaborative engineering environments as a way to improve engineering processes. A multi-disciplinary simulation environment integrates models from all disciplines involved in a common functional structure. Quick configuration for specific design problems and powerful feedback / visualisation capabilities enable engineering teams to concentrate on the integrated behaviour of the design. An engineering process management system allows engineering teams to work concurrently in tasks, following a defined flow of activities, applying tools on a shared database. Automated management of workspaces including data consistency enables engineering teams to concentrate on the design activities. The huge amount of experience in companies must be transformed for effective application in engineering processes. Compatible concepts, notations and implementation platforms make tangible knowledge like models and algorithms accessible. Computer-based design management makes knowledge on engineering processes and methods explicit