Representation Of Design Process Research Articles

A process knowledge representation approach for decision support in design of complex engineered systems

Process knowledge is of considerable significance to the digitalization and intelligentization of the manufacturing industry. Current research on the process knowledge representation of decision-making in engineering design has predominantly focused on either mathematical models of individual decisions at the micro-level or organizational models of group decision consensus at the macro-level. However, the management of complexity and uncertainty in the model-based realization of engineered systems is critical to achieving rational, comprehensive, and robust decisions, especially in terms of knowledge-intensive design. The efficiency and effectiveness of decisions in system design are intrinsically linked to the process, knowledge, and system concepts involved, necessitating a more flexible and systematic decision process representation scheme that supports both the management of complexity and uncertainty. Hence, in this paper, we propose a decision-centric design process representation scheme named the Phase-Event-Information X (PEI-X) diagram and its corresponding systematic design guidance method for designing decision workflows. Using the proposed method, designers have the ability to (1) model hierarchical decision processes that cover vertical and horizontal interaction patterns, and (2) exploit the synthesis of the “Formulating-Identifying-Reusing-Exploring” iterative process to extend the understanding and prediction of decision process behaviors in design. We achieve the aforesaid abilities through the implementation of a knowledge-based design guidance system for collaborative decision support and we demonstrate the efficacy by adopting a specific multi-stage manufacturing process design problem, hot rod rolling system design, and carry out an integrated design of materials, products, and related manufacturing processes.

An Adaptable Model for Distributed Collaborative Design

AbstractCurrent engineering design process typically involves more than one designer. In many cases there will be a team of designers participating in the design, along with the corresponding clients. This paper introduces an adaptable collaborative module for Internet-enabled Distributed Computer- Aided Design (DCAD). This module was designed based on a platform-independent model that enables designers to communicate and collaborate each other across different operation systems and applications used in dispersed locations. The adaptable module abstracts basic collaborative functionalities for a group design project and is equipped with web-based project management packages. The main research issues include platform-independency and adaptable structure, distributed design management and coordination, design process representation, collaborative design communication and design visualization. The adaptable model makes the collaborative design plug-in and add-on can be developed flexibly and loaded to differ...

An architecture for the design entity

This paper proposes a new model for the representation of design processes based on the evolutionary aspect of this activity. Also this work presents an innovative approach to object-oriented design processes and a new pragmatic view of the Design Problem Space (DPS). Furthermore, the principles underlying the model are derived from a working CAD system in furnace design developed during the present research work. The information related to the artifact form (space representation), as well as those associated to the functions (rules and nature laws) that the form should attend to, are incorporated by the model. The proposed model is structured in terms of a small number of object types which are capable of building an efficient and robust hierarchical tree. This tree incorporates all the requirements associated with the artifact from the conceptual stage up to the stage of the artifact complete specification.

Database infrastructure for supporting engineering design histories

An engineering design history is a step-by-step account of the events and the states through which a design artifact evolved. Database technology has not yet provided adequate mechanisms for capturing and reusing design history information. This paper presents an infrastructure for computer-aided archiving and interrogation of engineering design histories. This framework combines research from software engineering, data engineering, and knowledge engineering to develop an environment for the capture and reuse of design histories. A Design Process Representation Language (DRL), is combined with ‘enhanced’ step models to capture design steps and design parameters. This high-level representation is translated into Data Definition Language (DDL) for operations on an object-oriented database. Advances in database technology that are required to fully support intelligent design history systems are discussed.

Design support systems for process engineering—I. Requirements and proposed solutions for a design process representation

Design is an important engineering activity, arguably the most important, because it is the basis for developing new products. An effective design support system can enhance the design process, and thus improve the design product. A number of requirements make the development of a design support system a complex task; useful and directed assistance requires a representation of the design process to be kept in a computable form. The system should furthermore have the flexibility to provide support for exploration, evolution, cooperation, and integration. The described work addresses the above issues, and proposes solutions for their achievement using the exploration-based model of design of Smithers et ai and the hierarchical decision procedure of Douglas. It proposes a fundamentally new representation consisting of three interconnected networks for the design objectives, alternatives, and models respectively, and examines the behaviour or functionality they must provide. Expected benefits from this representation are maintenance of consistency during the design process; dependency-directed redesign or retrofit; reuse of parts of the artifact or the design methodology; enhanced documentation and explanation of the system's actions or advice; representation of multiple points of view and their interactions; and eased verification, modification and maintenance of the design product.