An Internet-based integrated product design environment. Part I: a hybrid agent and network architecture

During the past two decades, concurrent or collaborative engineering (CE) has presented new possibilities for successful product development. In addition, the advances in computer networks and information technology have brought engineering design context into a new era. As a promising approach to accommodate the radical pace of changes in the context of engineering design, agent technologies have been attracting public attention and are being used in an increasingly wide variety of applications. However, little attention has been paid to multi-agent system (MAS) frameworks for CE environments that enable systematic and timely design integrations in both hierarchical and heterarchical design topology. This is the first of a two-part paper proposing a MAS framework for integrated product design in a computer network-oriented CE environment. Part I first proposes a hybrid agent network architecture to develop lightweight, dynamic and large-scale distributed systems, and then proposes a hybrid agent architecture based on our finite state automata (FSA) formalism that can exhibit both hybrid behaviours and hybrid interactions. Finally, some ideas for building an integrated product design environment are presented using the proposed agent and network architecture. Part II discusses the applications of the proposed MAS framework to concurrent engineering design.     

An Internet-based integrated product design environment. Part II: its applications to concurrent engineering design

Concurrent or collaborative engineering (CE) has inspired research in the area of design decomposition, which facilitates the concurrency of product lifecycle functions from the earlier stage of the product development process and reduces the complexity of a design problem. The decomposition-based design, on the other hand, necessitates various integration efforts for recombining the decomposed design problems. This is the second of a two-part paper proposing a multi-agent system (MAS) framework for integrated product design in a computer network-oriented CE environment. Part II discusses the applications of the proposed MAS framework to concurrent engineering design. The proposed framework realises the systematic and timely design integrations between multi-functional/cross-functional team members in a dynamic design environment, by enabling model integration, solution integration and tool integration. The proposed design agents make the problem-specific engineering models or heterogeneous design tools interoperable and network-accessible, and also provide the interaction spaces for communicating, integrating or coordinating the individual design solutions. Throughout the paper, the proposed system is illustrated with a successful implementation of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) design problem over the Internet .     

Developing an Integrated Intelligent Framework to Support an Engineering Change Process for an Axial Piston Pump

Since the concepts of concurrent engineering were introduced in mid 1980s, the product design process has become complicated. This is because many factors related to the life cycle of the product may need to be considered during the design stage. Therefore, shortening product development time becomes important for the survival of an enterprise. In this paper, an integrated intelligent environment to support concurrent engineering is proposed. Two major modules are provided by this system to assist change management. One is a constraint network module that analyses the related constraints about a design change to find the design variables influenced. Another is a product assembly module that extracts the design data from a CAD database to analyse the spatial relationships relating to an assembly. The data in the above two modules are integrated in a data integrated module, in which an entity relational data model was developed to describe the integrated data. Finally, a web-based query system was developed to provide a multiplatform environment for the user to refer to the data in the constraint network module and the product assembly module during a design change process. The proposed environment is implemented in the design change process for an axial piston pump.     

Concurrent design process analysis and optimization for aluminum profile extrusion product development

Owing to intricate interdependency and information feedback among tasks, the concurrent design process probably cannot converge to the correct solution when there are wrong integration and improper interaction between activities. Therefore research on concurrent design process optimization is necessary. In the paper, a novel methodology is proposed to analyze and optimize the concurrent engineering process scientifically. Based on design structure matrix and graph theory, coupled task recognition and design task level plotting are performed for the concurrent design process of aluminum profile extrusion product development. Three factors are used to describe the coupling property of activity, namely sensitivity, complexity and affection factors, which provide the basis to analyze development process quantitatively. And an optimism algorithm is presented to define the initial iteration order of coupled task set. Finally a rational and efficient concurrent design process model is constructed, which can make aluminum profile product development faster, with lower costs and higher quality. The methodology proposed is also applicable to other concurrent engineering fields.     

基于STEP的并行产品开发信息集成及设计版本管理技术

分析了并行产品开发的特点,提出了并行产品开发的信息集成框架,并从８６３／ＣＩＭＳ关键技术攻关项目“并行工程”的需求出发,参照ＳＴＥＰ应用协议ＡＰ２１４,建立了并行工程产品特征信息主模型,同时利用ＳＴＥＰ开发工具,通过对ＣＡＤ特征再建模的方法支持ＣＡＤ与ＤＦＭ／ＣＡＰＰ／ＣＡＭ／ＣＡＦＤ的信息集成;利用Ｄｅｌｔａ文件管理工具实现产品数据设计版本管理。     

Development of a concurrent mold design system: a knowledge-based approach

This paper presents research that establishes a systematic methodology and knowledge base for an injection-molding mold design in a concurrent engineering environment. This methodology is, in general, analogous to the methods of design for manufacturing, and is, however, in collaboration with activities of molding product design and mold manufacturing process planning. The practical goal of this research is twofold: to develop a mold-development process that facilitates concurrent engineering-based practice and to develop a knowledge-based design aid for injection-molding mold design that accommodates manufacturability concerns, as well as requirements of products. The research approach includes (i) process modeling and reengineering for concurrent mold design, (ii) identification of functional requirements with a computer-based system, (iii) system framework design, and (iv) system modeling and implementation. The framework supports concurrent engineering based mold design by providing advisory tools that are able to resolve relevant issues at the early stages of mold design. The results of this research will facilitate the rationalization and automation of the mold development process, thus improving the efficiency and quality of, and reducing the cost of, mold development.     

An intelligent system based on concurrent engineering for innovative product design at the conceptual design stage

This paper describes the development of an intelligent system based on concurrent engineering for generating design alternatives at the conceptual design stage. The proposed system encompasses a design analysis module, a design evaluation module, a knowledge acquisition and storing module, a user interface and databases. It is also integrated with a spreadsheet application for storing data and numerical analysis and works in combination with a material selection software Cambridge engineering selector (CES) to facilitate the material selection process. The tangible advantage of implementing this system is that it enables the designer to explore and experiment with alternative ideas in the early design stage, and it results in design solutions that are functionally sound- and cost-effective. It also has the capability for design alternatives evaluation, material selection and modelling the product detailed design on the computer-aided design system. Therefore, an efficient product development process is generated. Three case studies are demonstrated and discussed to validate the proposed system.     

A comparison of approaches to concurrent engineering

In this paper, various approaches to the successful implementation of concurrent engineering are presented. Approach 1 addresses the information and software requirements of an integrated manufacturing information system. Two sets of data requirements for the design of mechanical products are discussed. Approach 2 uses feature based design as the impetus behind CAD/CAM integration. A conceptual framework leading to the development of a knowledge-based management system (KBMS) is proposed. KBMS is capable of representing multiple and concurrent views of features. Approach 3 considers product design concerns from inception to disposal in a unified life cycle engineering (ULCE) environment. Approach 4 focuses on assembly as an integrative function of all manufacturing activities. Approach 5 emphasises organisational and cultural issues and proposes that effective dialogue between design and manufacturing engineers is essential for abandoning the over-the-wall design concept. In conclusion, a critique of various approaches to concurrent engineering is provided.     

PDM技术在并行工程中的应用与实施

研究了在ＰＤＭ系统支持下如何实现对并行工程 的ＣＡＸ／ＤＦＸ工具的封装与集成,集成产品开发团队的组织与管理,产品信息与资源信息的管理,过程信息的管理等实施技术,最终提供并行化产品设计所必需的运作环境,支持并行工程的实施。     

面向敏捷制造的集成产品开发要素研究

敏捷制造被认为是２１世纪制造企业的主要发展模式。分析了敏捷制造模式下企业实施产品集成开发的若干要素,包括企业动态联盟、过程重构、ＩＰＴ组织与管理、企业信息合理化工程、信息分类编码与标准化技术等;探讨了面向敏捷制造的并行产品开发模式;提出了支持企业动态联盟集成产品开发的信息框架概念,阐述了其集成体系结构和工作原理。     

A tolerancing optimisation method for product design

Although extensive research has been carried out in the area of tolerancing techniques for product design, concurrent engineering is still very seldom used in this context. This paper introduces a unique tolerancing method which applies the concept of concurrent engineering. The proposed method essentially allocates the required functional assembly tolerances to the component tolerances by formulating the tolerancing problem into a mathematical model and solving the model using a linear programming approach. The component tolerances are first represented in terms of the process tolerances, assigned by process planners at an early stage of the product design. The objective function of the mathematical model, which is to maximise the residual tolerances of the processes, is then established and the constraints formulated based on the assembly requirements and process constraints. The model is subsequently solved using a linear programming approach. Finally, the proposed method is tested on a practical example.     

Computer-aided feature-based design for net shape manufacturing

Contemporary computer-based design tools are not suitable for concurrent engineering oriented product design due to (a) their particular and stand-alone functionality, (b) the lack of a capability to support interactive decision-making, and (c) the heavy involvement of designer expertise and experience. This paper presents a feature-based design for a manufacturing framework which is able to support the practice of concurrent engineering by providing functions designed specifically for net shape product design and on-line design guidance. Knowledge-based and object-oriented modeling technologies are employed to develop design evaluation facilities. An object-oriented product model, embedded with product design and process knowledge, is constructed and used for design evaluation. Geometric reasoning is performed on features, feature interactions, and overall shape to identify areas that may conflict with design principles. This paper concentrates on design for net shape manufacturing with an emphasis on die casting and injection molding processes. However, the proposed framework is general enough for other net shape processes by customizing process specific features and encoding process design rules.     

面向并行工程的数控机床可靠性控制模型

可靠性工作贯穿产品的全寿命周期 ,它与设计、工艺、制造、销售和使用等领域的信息集成是并行工程的重要组成部分。分析了数控机床产品全寿命周期中的可靠性工作 ,提出了面向并行工程的数控机床可靠性工程的思想 ,提出并建立了面向并行工程数控机床可靠性控制模型     

模具制造中的并行工程研究

并行工程是保证模具交货期和质量的有效手段。本文通过分析模具制造的特点和我国模具制造企业存在的问题,从组织机构和技术手段两方面,对实施模具并行工程的可行性进行了论证,提出了模具制造并行工程的基本框架和实现模具并行工程的关键技术以及实现这些关键技术的手段和方法。这些方法已在注塑模和压铸模的设计制造中得到部分应用,取得了很好的效果。     

产品设计与制造过程质量保证的集成

讨论了并行工程环境下产品设计和制造过程质量保证相集成的方法、策略及基本集成框架。指出该集成系统的关键是进行质量功能配置、面向制造的设计、面向装配的设计及制造过程质量的统计过程控制各种手段与方法的集成。最后给出了一个集成系统框架,并对其中的各个部分进行了详细的讨论。     

Cyber-enabled concurrent material and process selection in a flexible design for manufacture paradigm

This paper presents a cyber design for manufacturing (DFM) framework for concurrent material and process selections. An internet-of-things (IoT) interface is developed wherein design, material, and process databases are accessed in a cloud-based environment. Digital designs are processed to extract dimensional features and functional requirements. A Node-RED IoT simulator is developed to provide seamless interconnectivity to translate design specifications with material and process databases via web sockets. The output from the cloud system is incorporated within a decision-making algorithm. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is implemented where alternatives are hierarchically compared to generate weights based on combinatorial order ranking of the designer preferences. A material-process index (MPI) is developed that integrates the material and process generated weights with material-process compatibility for selecting the optimal material and process combination. The proposed methodology is applied to an electrical power distribution interchangeable fuse cutout system to validate the approach. Material and processes are selected on a standalone basis without considering their compatibilities. Further, the MPI function is implemented that integrates functional preferences for material, process, and their compatibilities to contrast against standalone material and process selections. The material-process combination with the highest MPI was chosen as the optimal solution for a product design. The cyber DFM methodology developed in this research can be extended to different application domains based on flexible user chosen criteria.     

注塑产品并行设计过程特征建模

在并行环境下 ,设计过程集成与产品信息集成两个环节互相关联。基于特征的产品信息模型在满足产品信息表达的完备性的同时 ,也应该满足设计过程不同阶段的不同需求。本文通过对设计问题不同阶段的特点及所需信息的分析 ,建立起并行设计环境下面向设计过程的注塑产品特征模型 ,并提出了区别于产品几何表达驱动设计方法的功能驱动设计方法。     

A visualization system for integrating maintainability design and evaluation at product design stage

Thoughtful consideration of products maintenance features early in design stage can reduce or eliminate maintenance costs, reduce downtime, and improve safety. As such, the effective collaboration of product designers and maintenance technicians throughout the product design process is becoming much more important for the most advanced competitiveness. To address this need, a visualization system that enables maintainability-related technicians cooperated with product designers in a networked manufacturing environment is proposed in this study. This paper presents a systematic approach to implementation of a Web-based visualization system by using virtual reality technology. The system aims at providing a simulated environment and concurrent engineering processes to facilitate communication, coordination, control, and integration of product maintainability validation and improvement activities. The result of this research will help increase product maintainability, reduce development cycle time and cost, and hence increase product marketability.     

机电产品并行式绿色设计方法的研究

首先简单介绍了并行工程和绿色设计的概念,然后对机电产品并行工程和绿色设计的共同特征进行了分析,并对并行式绿色设计的基本方法及关键技术进行了阐述,最后构建了基于并行式绿色设计下产品开发环境的体系结构.     

基于并行工程理念的产品设计方法研究

针对当代产品设计的特点,本文提出将并行工程理念运用到产品设计的过程之中,并对基于并行工程下产品设计的范围、特点、应用进行研究,提出了并行设计的方法。