EnhanCE Modelling - Methodenschulung zur Vermittlung und Erforschung qualitativer Modellbildung mit dem Contact and Channel Approach

Der Aufbau von Systemverständnis durch Modellbildung von Gestalt-Funktion-Zusammenhängen (GFZ) ist eine zentrale Tätigkeit in der Gestaltung. Er geschieht zunächst mental und läuft oft unbewusst ab, d.h. erfahrene ProduktentwicklerInnen wissen, dass eine bestimmte Gestalt die gewünschte Funktion erfüllt, aber können nicht genau sagen, warum. Dieses mentale Modell kann unbemerkt Fehler und Lücken beinhalten (Meboldt et al. 2012). Werden diese nicht aufgedeckt, besteht das Risiko, die gewünschten Funktionen nicht, oder nicht ausreichend zu erfüllen. Im Aufdecken dieser Fehler und Lücken können qualitative Modelle wie beispielsweise Contact and Channel Modelle oder Wirkraummodelle unterstützen. Durch sie können mentale Modelle früh dokumentiert und anderen ProduktentwicklerInnen zugänglich gemacht werden. Die Anwendung dieser qualitativen Modelle ist jedoch eine Herausforderung, weshalb sie selten genutzt werden und ihr Einfluss auf das Systemverständnis von ProduktentwicklerInnen in der Gestaltung unklar ist. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist die Entwicklung von EnhanCE Modelling als Methodenschulung zur Vermittlung und Erforschung von qualitativen Modellbildung mit dem C&C²-Ansatzes. Als Basis der Entwicklung dient eine Analyse von Anwendungen des C&C²-Ansatzes und der darin bestehenden Herausforderungen. Das auf Basis dieser Analyse entwickelte EnhanCE Modelling beinhaltet drei kontextspezifische Schulungsvarianten, mit denen der C&C²-Ansatz und die in ihm vorhandene Modell-bildungsmethode vermittelt wird. Diese Schulungsvarianten ermöglichen zudem durch integrierte Anwendungsfälle die Erforschung der Erfolgsfaktoren Anwendbarkeit und Nutzen der Modellbildung mit dem C&C²-Ansatz. Die Untersuchung der Anwendbarkeit zeigt, dass der C&C²-Ansatz durch EnhanCE Modelling so vermittelt werden kann, dass er auch ohne Vorkenntnisse zur Modellbildung von GFZ angewandt werden kann. Mit der so sichergestellten Anwendbarkeit kann nun erstmalig der Nutzen der Modellbildung mit dem C&C²-Ansatz untersucht werden. In der Validierungsstudie dieser Arbeit wird der Einfluss des durch EnhanCE Modelling vermittelten C&C²-Ansatzes auf das Systemverständnis in Fragestellungen der Gestaltung experimentell geprüft. Mit diesem Experiment werden erstmalig statistisch signifikante Aussagen zum Einfluss der Modellbildung von GFZ mit dem C&C²-Ansatz auf das Systemverständnis von ProduktentwicklerInnen möglich

Methodical support for investigation of system behaviour by means of analysis techniques - overcoming non-transparency in embodiment design

One challenge in adaptive design of technical systems is insufficient understanding of the mechanical system behavior. The actual system behaviour often differs from the system behaviour expected by the designer. This is due, for example, to influences from manufacturing, wear, or errors in the designer’s understanding. For the analysis of the differences between expected and actual system behavior, the system behaviour can be observed. Special analysis techniques are often necessary for system observation. However, the missing methodical support in the system-specific use of analysis techniques is a challenge. In this contribution, a methodical support for the selection and adaptation of analysis techniques for system observation is developed. For this, known errors that occur during system observation are operationalised and provided as requirements for evaluation of analysis techniques. The support is provided as a Selection Matrix, in which the evaluated analysis techniques can be selected and adapted. This is evaluated considering an accompanying application to the non-transparent system wood screw connection. By using the analysis techniques selected with the method, it was possible to identify the actual system behaviour and gain new insights. Here, the Selection Matrix provided support through a structured evaluation of analysis techniques. The Selection Matrix also supported the adaptation of analysis techniques for improved observation of the system behaviour. No general statements on the quality of the support by the Selection Matrix are yet possible. Also, the operationalisation of the errors should be improved to reduce subjective influences. Therefore, these topics should be investigated in further studies

Rethinking how we describe product models in engineering design research

Product models are an important part of a designer’s daily practice, and as such, they require the continuous attention of design researchers for further progress. However, there is no common vocabulary or structure to describe product models in engineering design. This weakens the discourse by preventing a common understanding and fostering ambiguity. To address this problem, this research note formulates three stances on product models that incorporate a vocabulary within a contextual structure as a contribution towards a shared understanding when describing product models and their underlying concepts. These stances are classification-oriented, functionality-oriented, and message-oriented. By discussing the implications of using these stances, it is illustrated how they facilitate comparability, avoid misunderstandings, and reveal links to the state of research

Modeling dynamic mechanical system behavior using sequence modeling of embodiment function relations: case study on a hammer mechanism

In engineering design, an issue for using complex simulation models in system analysis are unknown causes for dynamic system behavior, which make parameterization difficult. This paper presents a case study in which a structured system analysis is used for the parameterization of complex dynamic multi-domain models. The dynamic system behavior of an impact wrench during fastening of a bolt is analyzed and modeled using the Contact and Channel Approach for structured parameterization of a multibody simulation model. This qualitative model building serves as a basis for a simulation model that quantifies the relations of design parameters and system behavior. Comparison with experimental test results is done as a validation. With this approach, the behavior identified in the simulation model could be traced back in a structured way to its cause in the system embodiment. The simulation model represented the real dynamic system behavior with an initial sufficient precision, but showed a lack of precision in detail. On this basis, the Contact and Channel Model was extended by adding additional statistical behavior of the system. Parameters of the system embodiment were identified qualitatively to improve the simulation model. A limitation in qualitative modeling of dynamic changes in the system has been identified that needs to be addressed in further research

Investigating qualitative modelling in design – experimental method validation at the Contact and Channel Approach

Qualitative modelling in embodiment design aims to support the gain of system understanding. However, it remains unclear whether using a qualitative modelling method impacts system understanding compared to intuitive approaches. In this contribution, an experimental study is conducted to investigate the impact of the modelling method based on the Contact and Channel Approach on system understanding. The study is set up with 35 participants, video-based modelling training and two technical systems. The tasks are analyses of causes for system behaviour on two different detail levels of system understanding. The control group solves the task with intuitive approaches, the test group uses the modelling method. On the system level, general relations of embodiment and behaviour are investigated. On the detail level, function-critical system areas, as well as function-relevant system states, are investigated. The modelling method increases understanding of technical systems at the system level compared to intuitive approaches. In the detail level, no statement about statistically significant differences could be derived. Challenges in identifying critical areas and relevant system states are uncovered, which provide insights for improving the modelling method. With this study design, the modelling process is now observable. It can provide a baseline for investigations of similar modelling methods

Considering Manufacturing in Functional Modelling - Case Study on Combination of Simulation-Driven Design with Design-for-Manufacture

In engineering design, function fulfilment is the raison d\u27être of a product. However, economic boundary conditions have to be taken into consideration as well to enable marketability of the product. In this paper, a case study is presented, where function-based engineering using the Simulation-Driven Design is linked with Design-for-Manufacture as an example for economic design through qualitative modelling. The qualitative modelling with the Contact and Channel Approach aims to support the integrated consideration of functional requirements and manufacturing boundary conditions. The linked approaches are applied in the development of a test rig for hammer drills. It shows how Design-for-Manufacture can be considered early in conceptual decisions in embodiment design by separating functional embodiment and residual structure through qualitative modelling. The freeze-unfreeze strategy is presented as a possibility to identify potential for Design-for-Manufacture to meet economic boundary conditions in conceptual design without reducing the functionality of the system. Further research possibilities regarding qualitative modelling to support functional and economic design are uncovered