A spatiotemporal information management framework for product design and assembly process planning reconciliation

This paper introduces an innovative framework for product design and assembly process planning reconciliation. Nowadays, both product lifecycle phases are quasi concurrently performed in industry and this configuration has led to competitive gains in efficiency and flexibility by improving designers’ awareness and product quality. Despite these efforts, some limitations/barriers are still encountered regarding the lack of dynamical representation, information consistency and information flow continuity. It is due to the inherent nature of the information created and managed in both phases and the lack of interoperability between the related information systems. Product design and assembly process planning phases actually generate heterogeneous information, since the first one describes all information related to ‘‘what to be delivered’’ and the latter rationalises all information with regards to ‘‘how to be assembled’’. In other words, the integration of assembly planning issue in product design requires reconciliation means with appropriate relationships of the architectural product definition in space with its assembly sequence in terms of time. Therefore, the main objective is to provide a spatiotemporal information management framework based on a strong semantic and logical foundation in product lifecycle management (PLM) systems, increasing therefore actors’ awareness, flexibility and efficiency with a better abstraction of the physical reality and appropriate information management procedures. A case study is presented to illustrate the relevance of the proposed framework and its hub-based implementation within PLM systems

Intent Detection for Virtual Reality Architectural Design

In the context of optimization and reduction of cycles of product design in indus-try, digital collaborative tools have a major impact allowing an early-stage integra-tion of multidisciplinary challenges and oftentimes the search of global optimum rather than domain specific improvements. This paper presents a methodology for improving participants’ implication and performance during collaborative design sessions through virtual reality (VR) tools thanks to intention detection through body language interpretation and thus, reduction of cognitive workload. A proto-type of the methodology is being implemented based on an existing VR aided de-sign tool called DragonFly developed by Airbus. We will first discuss the choice of the different biological inputs to choose for our purpose, and how to merge these multimodal inputs in a meaningful way in order to ease further evolution and maintenance of our solution. Then, we will focus on the extraction of these inputs, their preprocessing, and the inference of intent and associated parameters. Finally, we will show the beginning of the application of this methodology to our specific use case of aircraft system installation

Absorptivity measurement of solid and powder bed under IR laser beam

The effective absorptivity of IR laser light for different powder beds were studied. The reflectivity of aluminum, titanium, stainless steel and copper alloys was measured using an appropriate Ulbricht sphere. Laser irradiation was reliably detected by a photodiode. Reflectivity was carefully measured as a function of illuminated area and powder bed density. Several powder size distributions and powder thicknesses were chosen to evaluate the impact on the laser absorption. Two spot diameters were tested to evaluate the variation of the reflectivity. The absorptivity of the powder bed was significantly higher than the absorptivity of a uniform surface for similar material due to multiple scattering. In addition, the substrate is responsible for a non-negligible variation in the powder bed absorption. The inhomogeneity of the powder bed strongly modified the laser absorption for a small spot size. The absorption fluctuated during the transition from the powder state to the molten pool state

Description et modélisation spatio-temporelle du couple produit-process d’assemblage basées sur la méréotopologie : théorie, modèle et approche

The major goal of this research is to describe product evolution in the three dimensions (i.e. spatial, temporal andspatiotemporal). In the current industrial context, product models are only considered from a purely spatial point ofview during the design stage and from a purely temporal point of view during the assembly stage. The lack of linkbetween product and process leads to misunderstanding in engineering definition and causes wrong designinterpretation. However, the product undergoes changes throughout the design and assembly phases. The dynamicaspect of design activities requires linking both dimensions in order to be able to represent product evolution andhave consistent information. As such, spatiotemporal dimension (i.e. linking space and time) needs to be added andrelationships between product modelling and assembly sequences need to be particularly studied.This PhD thesis in mechanical design draws inspiration from several domains such as mathematics, geographicinformation systems and philosophy. Here the product is considered from a perdurantist point of view. Perdurantismregards the object as being composed of temporal slices and always keeping the same identity whatever changesundergone. Based on this statement, this PhD thesis introduces a novel product-process description so as to ensureproduct architect's and designer's understanding of design intents at the early design stages. In order to achieve thisobjective, a mereotopological theory, enabling the product description as it is perceived in the real world, has beendeveloped and implemented in an ontology model to be formalized.The JANUS theory qualitatively describes product evolution over time in the context of AOD, integrating assemblysequence planning in the early product design stages. The theory enables the formal relationships description ofproduct-process design information and knowledge. The proposed efforts aim at providing a concrete basis fordescribing changes of spatial entities (i.e. product parts) and their relationships over time and space. This regionbasedtheory links together spatial, temporal and spatiotemporal dimensions, therefore leading to a perdurantistphilosophy in product design.Then, PRONOIA2 - a formal ontology based on the previous mereotopological theory - is developed. Assemblyinformation is accessible and exploitable by information management systems and computer-aided X tools in orderto support product architects and designer's activities. Indeed product design information and knowledge as well asthe related assembly sequence require a semantic and logical foundation in order to be managed consistently andprocessed proactively.Based on JANUS theory and PRONOIA2 ontology, the MERCURY approach enables associating spatial information(managed by PDM) and temporal information (managed by MPM) through spatiotemporal mereotopologicalrelationships. Therefore, new entities are managed through PLM, using ontology and hub system, so as to ensureproactive engineering and improve product architects' and designers' understanding of product evolution.L’objectif de cette thèse est de d’écrire l’évolution du produit dans les trois dimensions (spatiale, temporelle et spatio-temporelle). Dans le contexte industriel actuel, les modèles produit sont considérés uniquement du point de vue spatial pendant la phase de conception et du point de vue temporel pendant la phase d’assemblage. Le manque de lien entre le produit et le process mène à des incompréhensions de définition de produit et entraine de mauvaises interprétations en conception. Cependant, le produit ´évolue à travers le temps et subit des changements tout au long des phases de conception et d’assemblage. L’aspect dynamique des activités de conception nécessite de lier ces deux dimensions afin de pouvoir représenter l’évolution du produit et avoir une cohérence des informations. Par conséquent, la dimension spatio-temporelle (i.e. permettant de lier l’espace et le temps) a besoin d’être ajoutée et les relations entre la modélisation du produit et sa séquence d’assemblage ont besoin d’être particulièrement étudiées. Cette thèse en mécanique et conception s’est inspirée de divers domaines comme la gestion des connaissances, les systèmes d’information géographique et la philosophie. Ici le produit est considéré d’un point de vue perdurantiste. Le perdurantisme considère l’objet comme étant compose de tranches temporelles et gardant toujours la même identité quelque soit le changement subi. D’après les précédentes déclarations, cette thèse introduit une nouvelle description du couple produit-process afin d’assurer la compréhension des intentions de conception aux acteurs projet. Dans le but d’atteindre cet objectif, une théorie mereotopologique, permettant de d´écrire le produit comme perçu dans la réalité, et de développée et implémentée dans un modèle ontologique pour être formalisée. La théorie JANUS d´écrit qualitativement l’évolution du produit à travers le temps dans un contexte de conception orientée assemblage, permettant l’intégration de la séquence d’assemblage d`es le début du processus de conception. La théorie permet la description formelle des relations liant les informations et connaissances du couple produit-process. Ces efforts ont pour but d’apporter une base concrète pour la description des changements d’entités spatiales (telles que les composants) et leurs relations `a travers l’espace et le temps. Cette théorie basée sur les régions lie les dimensions spatiale, temporelle et spatio-temporelle et apporte donc une vision perdurantiste en conception de produit. Ensuite, PRONOIA2 – une ontologie formelle basée sur la précédente théorie –développée. De ce fait, les informations liées à l’assemblage sont rendues accessibles et exploitables par des systèmes de gestion d’information et les outils de XAO afin de supporter les activités de l’architecte produit et du concepteur. En effet, les informations et connaissances liées à la conception de produit, ainsi que la séquence d’assemblage associée, ont besoin d’une fondation sémantique et logique afin d’être gérées de manière cohérente et proactive. Suite au développement de la théorie JANUS et de l’ontologie PRONOIA2, l’approche proposée permet d’associer les informations spatiales (gérées par le PDM) et les informations temporelles (gérées par le MPM) à travers des relations mereotopologiques spatio-temporelles. Par conséquent, de nouvelles entités doivent être gérées dans le PLM, en utilisant notamment l’ontologie et un système hub, afin d’assurer un maintien des principes d’ingénierie proactives et améliorer la compréhension de l’architecte produit et du concepteur concernant l’ évolution du produit

A method for design for additive manufacturing rules formulation through Spatio-temporal process discretization

International audienceAdditive Manufacturing (AM) has many advantages, but the lack of access to the knowledge associated with it minimises its development in industry. The design phase is crucial for the success of AM, a challenge for Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) methods is therefore to facilitate the access and manipulation of this knowledge. This transfer of knowledge can be achieved by formalising rules at all scales, and communicating them to the designer at the appropriate phase. It is hence necessary to find a way to formalise information in time, space and space-time dimensions since AM is a process that places material in space and layer by layer. The concept of mereotopology is used to study the relationships of connection and interaction between parts, wholes and boundaries, and may be a suitable resource to study DfAM along these three dimensions. The aim of this paper will therefore be to present a method for searching and formulating design guidelines based on a discretisation of the process enabled by the concept of mereotopology. This method consists in the decomposition of a 3D model into features between which spatial, temporal and spatio-temporal interactions are studied. Simultaneously, the analysis of manufactured defects on a printed version of the model allows to link manufacturing defects with a configuration of spatial and temporal elements. Once the defects and configurations have been linked, rules are formulated and then validated or invalidated according to their recurrence on different models printed with the same process and material. This method could be integrated in industry to take advantage of manufacturing defects in order to add data to the statistical study

Transformable product formal definition with its implementation in CAD tools

Nowadays products extend their capabilities towards changing their configurations in order to cover multiple usage needs. They may be named transformable products and have not been taken into consideration in early design stages yet. In this paper, a proactive definition of the product is provided with transformation intrinsic properties. The formalization leads to an architecture. This enables developing a transformable product from two ordinary non-evolving objects. Different configurations and transformation processes have been set and implemented within a CAD tool to design a transformable product. A new paradigm is thus initiated, which will lead to efficient and dynamic design of transformable product

Intent Detection for Virtual Reality Architectural Design

International audienceIn the context of optimization and cycles reduction for product design in industry, digital collaborative tools have a major impact, allowing an early stage integration of multidisciplinary challenges and oftentimes the search ofglobal optimum rather than domain specific improvements. This paper presents a methodology for improving participants’ implication and performance during collaborative design sessions through virtual reality (VR) tools, thanks to intention detection through body language interpretation. A prototype of the methodology is being implemented based on an existing VR aided design tool called DragonFly developed by Airbus. In what follows we will first discuss the choice of the different biological inputs for our purpose, and how to merge these multi-modal inputs a meaningful way. Thus, we obtain a rich representation of the body language expression, suitable to recognize the actions wanted by the user and their related parameters. We will then show that this solution has been designed for fast training thanks to a majority of unsupervised training and existing pre-trained models, and for fast evolution thanks to the modularity of the architecture

Intent Detection for Virtual Reality Architectural Design

International audienceIn the context of optimization and cycles reduction for product design in industry, digital collaborative tools have a major impact, allowing an early stage integration of multidisciplinary challenges and oftentimes the search ofglobal optimum rather than domain specific improvements. This paper presents a methodology for improving participants’ implication and performance during collaborative design sessions through virtual reality (VR) tools, thanks to intention detection through body language interpretation. A prototype of the methodology is being implemented based on an existing VR aided design tool called DragonFly developed by Airbus. In what follows we will first discuss the choice of the different biological inputs for our purpose, and how to merge these multi-modal inputs a meaningful way. Thus, we obtain a rich representation of the body language expression, suitable to recognize the actions wanted by the user and their related parameters. We will then show that this solution has been designed for fast training thanks to a majority of unsupervised training and existing pre-trained models, and for fast evolution thanks to the modularity of the architecture

Initial proposal for a general systems engineering methodology to early design phase cost/value estimation

We propose that a systems engineering methodology may be applied in an effective interactive design environment for lifecycle cost estimation and value optimization in the context of a manufacturing enterprise. In order to optimize a product design for value, engineering and manufacturing businesses need to be able to estimate accurately product lifecycle costs during the early design phases of its development, because this is when the majority of these costs are deter-mined. Systems engineering defines realizing value as meeting stakeholder re-quirements and emphasizes formalizing these in order to link coherently the individual estimated costs of a design to the needs it fulfils. Furthermore, formalized requirement and design parameters are suitable for modelling and simulation, and we envision a systems model implemented within existing knowledge-based engineering tools embedded in a design environment. The results of this model may support design decisions, as well as reinforce systems engineering analyses in evaluating processes for value chain simulations