Collaborative Product Design Research Articles

Dynamic Performance Analysis for Collaborative Design Model of Machinery Products Based on Invariant Analysis

This paper studied the problem of deadlock performance analysis for collaborative design process model based on extended objective Petri Net (OPN). Firstly, the definition of CSCD extended OPN model based on decision rules has been proposed by analyzing the collectivity requirement for the machinery products collaborative design system to be built. Besides, models for the OPN model of process controlling nets and design unit objective class. Then OPN invariant analysis theory has been adopted to analyze the dynamic performance of deadlock to the part design unit by building its object communication net. The dynamic performance of the whole model could be obtained by analyzing the performance of all the design unit object class.

Decision-making and controlling for products collaborative design implement process based on fuzzy Petri net

In order to solve the controlling problems with multiple design tasks and uncertain dynamic design process, a model of manufacture collaborative design process based on process control Petri nets is proposed by introducing decision rules information place and decision transmission. Fuzzy Petri net theory is adopted to descript fuzzy logic and knowledge expression appearing in the collaborative design process control. Synchronously, deducing knowledge-base with rules for collaborative design is built up. Two parameters are set: deterministic factor is used to express confidence degree of fuzzy rules while reliability value is used to express the reliability degree of storing proposition in decision information place. In addition, the implementation process for manufacture collaborative design is fuzzily deducted by FPN algorithm. According to the deduction result, the implementation flow of collaborative design process is decided. Finally, the presented approach is tested to be validity by control instance of driving system for chain conveyor in collaborative design process.

Incorporating Stakeholder Perspectives into Collaborative Product Design

Collaborative product design is a multiple criteria group decision making process bringing different and often controversial points of view together to create a solution among stakeholders. Collaborative design possesses more perspectives than any single person possesses because stakeholders have different perspectives. This work is based on new decision approach that includes creating shared understanding among various stakeholders, contextualizing design criteria and perspectives, and creating a multiple perspective and multiple criteria decision approach, our initial effort has focused on incorporating perspectives into design process. We then provide the approach to find the optimal design decisions for consideration of stakeholders’ perspectives. By analyzing the relationships between stakeholders’ perspectives and preferences of design criteria, multi-criteria decision making approach considering the stakeholders’ perspectives can be used to monitor and control the collaborative design process.

Establishing production service system and information collaboration platform for mold and die products

This paper investigates how the new concept of product service systems can be used and extended to transform, elevate, and revitalize traditional equipment manufacturing industry such as the Mold and Die (MD) sector. A mold and die production service systems (MPSS) framework is established based on recent developments within our industrial collaborators. Within the MPSS framework, MD manufacturers become more specialized in producing MD products and components while sharing and outsourcing manufacturing-oriented services (MOS) from a service provider. Typical services include collaborative order pooling and release, collaborative project progress status tracking, contractor-managed collaborative outsourcing, collaborative product design, collaborative production planning and scheduling, and after-sales technical supports. MOSs are designed, developed, and deployed as SaaS (software as application services) following the service-oriented architecture. Collectively, they form iMPSS—an Information and Collaboration Platform that enables MPSS. The use of iMPSS leads to benefits for stakeholders involved in providing mold and die functionality including better shopfloor decisions and reduced IT investments.

Heterogeneous Knowledge Integrated Management Based on Topic Maps in Collaborative Product Development

. Successful collaborative product development depends on the ability to effectively manage and share engineering knowledge and experience throughout the entire development process. This paper presents a distributed heterogeneous engineering knowledge management approach for the practice of collaborative product design. Firstly, a XTM based heterogeneous knowledge integration model in collaborative product design is proposed; Then, a knowledge management framework in collaborative design process is developed; Finally, a knowledge management system in collaborative design is constructed.

A Service Oriented Architecture for Collaborative Product Design

The recent advance in information technologies has the potential to greatly enhance product development, and to make distributed designers, engineers, manufacturers and customers work together over networks. This paper reviews related work on service-oriented architecture, distributed infrastructure and highlights the need to integrate service-oriented architecture technologies for meaningful and interactive collaborative design processes. This paper presents a service-oriented architecture implemented by web services for collaborative design. The collaborative workspace is presented to facilitate the design participants’ collaboration. The proposed architecture is applicable to different requirements of design participants and enhances design interaction during the product realization process.

A Distributed Multi-Agent Architecture for Collaborative Product Design

Collaborative product design is a complex and time-consuming process whereby geographically distributed designers from different disciplines cooperate and collaborate. Well-studied collaborative product design system reduces development time and creates better products. This paper discusses the characteristics of collaborative product design based on multi-agent technology to minimize the development time, cost and risk. In particular, the proposed agents can provide the interaction spaces for coordinating the individual design activities. Furthermore, the mechanism of intercommunications between agents is discussed. This research work constitutes initial effort towards optimization of process of collaborative product design. Future effort will focus on the software implementation of the theory presented in this paper.

A collaborative platform for complex product design with an extended HLA integration architecture

How to integrate the heterogeneous, autonomous models in a distributed environment, running on Internet, integration based on multilayer federation architecture and simulation resources dynamic reuse are the major difficulties for complex product collaborative design and simulation. An extended HLA-based collaborative simulation platform for multidisciplinary collaborative design is proposed. The architecture of platform is first given. The idea and realization of four key technologies, the dynamic creation of simulation federation based on resource management federation (RMF), HLA enabled template, collaborative simulation algorithm based on stage-data synchronization and TH_RTI, an extensible HLA runtime infrastructure (RTI), which is a web enabled RTI and can be used at Internet, are emphasized. Finally, an industry case is given. The demonstration of these prototype systems shows that extended HLA integration architecture is effective infrastructure for multidisciplinary collaborative modeling and simulation (M&S).

Decomposition-Based Modularity Method for Product Collaborative Design

With the development of economic globalization, the union enterprises under the circumstance of inter-industry, inter-regional, inter-national have been making rapid development, which requires that the products R & D need implementing in the distributed heterogeneous environment. Modularity is the foundation of product collaborative design (PCD), and the decomposed modules are vital to improve the efficiency and performance of PCD. To meet the modularity requirements of PCD in the distributed heterogeneous environment, a new method of decomposition-based modularity for PCD is presented based on the combination of the heuristic analysis and the quantitative optimization. Firstly, on the basis of the incidence matrix of sub-task, the mathematic model based on multi-objective optimization is established in order to maximize the module cohesion degree and minimize the module coupling degree, while considering the module executable degree as the restrictions. Secondly, the mathematic model is optimized and simulated by the modified PSO, and the optimized modules are obtained. Finally, the rationality and effectiveness of this methodology is proved in an instance of collaborative design related to automobile body.

Time Window Constraint Conflict Resolution Algorithm for Collaborative Design Process Scheduling

Aim at complex relationships among design tasks after task grouping for the collaborative product design process scheduling, the constraint conflicts of the task time windows would be generated in the task scheduling process, and the reasons of constraint conflicts are analyzed. Based on the least waiting times and time, a time window constraint conflict resolution algorithm is put forward, and the high parallel requirement is implemented for the collaborative design process.

Research Code Management System Based on J2EE

Web-based Code Management System (WCMS) is an essential tool for realizing information exchange in distant collaborative product design and manufacturing among global-based enterprises. A framework for WCMS is built up on a three-tier client/server system and the WCMS is developed utilizing JAVA and J2EE technologies. The developed WCMS mainly uses servlets and JSP to handle user inputs and manage and retrieve code data from the database through the JDBC driver, with the server components stored on a middleware program called Tomcat. The WCMS developed in this work has been successfully implemented in an enterprise.

ERP and PDM integration technology to support collaborative product development

Enterprises product collaborative development gathers partners distributed in space, time and organisations in order to achieve a common goal. Product Data Management (PDM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are two important tools to support product data in the product collaborative design and manufacture process. However, they are often used in the enterprise separately. A framework of data integration based on the PDM/ERP system to support data coordination interaction is put forward in the paper. Several kinds of methods and models for data exchange are discussed, which include the seven layers of sandglass transfer exchange, coding data exchange and modularisation data exchange, etc. We also present a data synchronisation algorithm between ERP and PDM system and build a relevant rule. Data integration is realised between SmarTeam and WhutERP by using XML and Web Services Description Language (WSDL) standard. A collaborative product development case of stream turbine body is given in the end.

A Constraint Based Decision Support System for Deadlocks Resolution in Collaborative New Product Design

In this paper we are considering that the product modelling step of a new product design process can be represented as a CSP (Constraint Satisfaction Problem). CSP modelling and resolution has proved its efficiency within the framework of single-designer design. We propose to extend the functions of CSP to the context of multi-designers. We have recently defined CoCSP as Cooperative Constraint Satisfaction Problem including the actors of the design problem. We present the operating principles of a new algorithm to solve the deadlocks appearing between constraints in a new product modelling process. Our reasoning is based on a model described in the form of a CoCSP. At each step, the algorithm generates the sets of consistent decisions, maximizing their cardinality. The algorithm forms the core of a prototype for an unsupervised, generic constraint-based collaborative decision support system. The work is illustrated by the example of a car engine collaborative modelling process.

Augmented reality for collaborative product design and development

This paper presents the application of Augmented Reality (AR) to support concurrent collaborative product design among members of a multi-disciplinary team. A client/server framework has been developed to enable users in a distributed environment to carry out product design collaboratively. An intuitive interface, consisting of virtual and tangible interfaces, and a tri-layer model representation scheme have been designed and developed to support solid modeling and collaborative design activities in the AR-based environment. Using AR technology, the users wearing head-mounted devices can move about in a physical 3D space to view a part that is being designed from different angles and perspectives. The users can observe the design effects in real-time as the modifications are being made in the 3D space.

Process Interoperability Framework Based on PSL for Collaborative Product Design

Process interoperability is important to achieve collaborative product design across enterprise boundaries. In this paper, first analyzes interoperability requirements in collaborative design process. Then the Process Specification Language (PSL) is introduced to design process modeling and PSL description method of design process information is given. In the end, a process interoperability framework is established based on PSL ontology and main function of modules are discussed. The framework provides an effective solution for information exchange and sharing among different process management systems in collaborative product design.

Key Technology and System Implementation of Distributed Collaborative Design in Hydraulic System

The state-of-art of collaborative hydraulic system design and the necessity to carry on collaborative hydraulic system design are summarized. The architecture and implementation methodology of Web-based collaborative product design system are presented, with some key techniques of implementing collaborative hydraulic system design being discussed in detail.

Technological Study on the 3D Collaborative Design System Oriented Project Management

The concept and content of project management in the networked collaborative design system is presented according to the mechanical product design typical process and its state-of-the-art requirement. The key technologies of the collaborative project management are studied mainly, the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (F-AHP) algorithm is employed to select collaborative partners, the method of Design Structure Matrix (DSM) is put forward in process of decomposing and assigning design tasks, and the weight-coefficient recursively statistic algorithm is used in controlling task schedule. The implementing technologies of the 3D networked collaborative design system oriented project management are researched simultaneously, such as collaborative data communication, conversation tool and design tool. The archetypal system platform was developed, it's proved that the 3D collaborative design system is qualified for complex mechanical product collaborative design by synergic team.

Research on Project Level Collaborative Design Process Oriented to Complex Product

This paper established a decomposition hierarchical network model of project level collaborative design process, based on work breakdown structure WBS, for character complex product collaborative design in dynamic alliance. The workflow of product collaborative design was established using time sequence Petri net, and the key assignment which has influence on design schedule and all design time were solved, after analyzing and comparing existing model method of collaborative design. And then experiments were used to verify. Theses technology support time management of workflow in project collaborative and shorten development cycle of collaborative project.

Web Information Based Collaborative Product Growth Design

Based on the survey of existing research work on collaborative design and on our experiences and work in product growth design theory, a feasible approach—collaborative product growth design method to integrate the genetic engineering methodology, collaborating tools and web based information into the automatic design activity has been proposed in this paper. Firstly, the product growth design strategy and its characteristics are studied based on automation technology in the product structure design. Then, to guarantee a successful transformation and good use of existing product data and related product series on internet, the information exchange model and web based virtual design gene pool model in the process of product growth design are put forward. Finally, the mechanism of the combination of product growth design and collaborative design process are described, and the framework of collaborative design based product growth design system is introduced. Through theoretical study and hard development work interesting and useful results have been obtained.

Supporting design with 3D-annotations in a collaborative virtual environment

In collaborative product design situations, enabling effective communication between participants and managing related knowledge are two key elements in the collaboration process. In this paper, we propose an enhancement to communication and knowledge management through the use of 3D-annotations directly in the collaborative virtual environment. We present our 3D-annotation model, which is based on three components: form, spatialization, and metadata. To facilitate the manipulation of 3D-annotations, we introduce a knowledge model, which is used to index and filter the annotations in the virtual environment. Experiments examining the influence of this knowledge model on the annotation-reading task show that users find the pertinent information more easily and with a greater level of confidence.