Knowledge-based Design Environment Research Articles

A Knowledge-based and Extensible Aircraft Conceptual Design Environment

Design knowledge and experience are the bases to carry out aircraft conceptual design tasks due to the high complexity and integration of the tasks during this phase. When carrying out the same task, different designers may need individual strategies to fulfill their own demands. A knowledge-based and extensible method in building aircraft conceptual design systems is studied considering the above requirements. Based on the theory, a knowledge-based aircraft conceptual design environment, called knowledge-based and extensible aircraft conceptual design environment (KEACDE) with open architecture, is built as to enable designers to wrap add-on extensions and make their own aircraft conceptual design systems. The architecture, characteristics and other design and development aspects of KEACDE are discussed. A civil airplane conceptual design system (CACDS) is achieved using KEACDE. Finally, a civil airplane design case is presented to demonstrate the usability and effectiveness of this environment.

Spatial Layout Planning in Sub-Surface Rail Station Design for Effective Fire Evacuation

Spatial layout planning is an important part of the underground railway station design process, taking into account its need-driven nature and the resulting infrastructure that is sized on demand. The predicted passenger flow rates are the underlining factor and are divided into ‘levels of service’ for space planning considerations. This paper reports on the development of a knowledge-based computer design environment capable of generating multiple spatial layout solutions, thus providing for more effective fire evacuation analysis when compared with the traditional design process. The developed programme, titled SGEvac in this research, utilizes shape grammar theory to provide for automatic generation of solutions at the reference (preliminary) design level, based on visual rules of shape recognition and replacement, their connectivity and spatial relationships. Although it has been developed to meet London Underground Station Planning Standards and Guidelines (SPSG) and related codes of practice, it has both the scope and potential for redevelopment to any other country's design legislation. Novel shape grammar and functional logic design rules that incorporate station planning design knowledge and guidance are developed and specified, along with the theoretical research. Validation of the results thus far is discussed, with a ‘train on fire in a station’ evacuation scenario analysed.

Knowledge-based design environment for primary shaped micro parts

This contribution describes a prototypical knowledge-based design environment predominantly concentrating on the production-relevant design of micro parts. In this environment a computer-aided knowledge base is linked with a design system (CAD-system). In contrast to a complete knowledge-based design, i. e. modelling a part by the rule-based connection of distinct basic objects or features (which is a matter of structured combination rather than creative designing) the prototype presented promzotes conventional practical design. The designed part is subsequently checked on the basis of parameters derived from the geometry of said part.

A graph and matrix representation scheme for functional design of mechanical products

This paper presents a graph and matrix representation scheme for the functional design of mechanical products, which provides a good basis to generate an explicit and comprehensive functional model used for functional reasoning. Three key features of the scheme are (1) The representation of the causal way behaviors are interconnected; (2) The representation of two types of functional relations: decomposed into and supported by; and (3) Support for diverse functional reasoning paths: three alternative B-FES/e paths are currently available. The scheme can guide functional design of mechanical products through functional reasoning steps including functional supportive synthesis, causal behavioral reasoning and functional decomposition. The developed functional model and its representation applied in a knowledge-based design environment can speed up the functional design process by automating functional reasoning steps. The proposed approach has been evaluated with a functional design example of a terminal cutoff unit in an automatic assembly system for manufacturing electronic connectors.

Restrictions of production engineering on micro-specific product development

The influences deriving from technology on the functions achievable by means of product design are typical characteristics of the development of micro-technological products. As a result, unlike the conventional design process the function attainable in micro technology due to product design appears to be less subjected to certain requirements. Multitechnological influences, resulting from production processes, material characteristics or micro-specific effects have an especially restrictive impact on the design of machine elements. On the basis of the product development process for primary shaped micro components from metallic and ceramic materials a method is presented which makes it possible to detect the know-how provided by disciplines subsequent and adjacent to the design process, having influence on the design of the machine element and interpret this relevant to design. The computer-aided availability of knowledge is accomplished with a knowledge-based design environment.

Functional descriptions used in computer support for qualitative scheme generation—“Schemebuilder”

AbstractWith increased pressures coming from global competition and requirements for greater innovation in product development, designers are hard pressed to deliver designs of higher quality and variety using a repertoire of technological options from different disciplines. This interdisciplinary product development approach has not only removed many of the traditional constraints to design but has now given designers a much wider freedom of choice as to the best solution to a design problem. The focus of this paper is a knowledge-based design environment called Schemebuilder, which is a comprehensive and integrated suite of software tools aimed at supporting the designer in the rapid development of product design models in the conceptual, through embodiment stages of design. Illustrated is the use of the software tools in the qualitative generation of alternative schemes, by application of stored working and decomposition principles in the development of a function-means tree-like information structure. With mechatronic product development as the main theme, this paper describes a closely integrated methodology that incorporates a bond graph approach to continuous-time energetic systems and high-level Petri nets for the rigorous description of discrete-time information systems. Additionally, a technique is suggested for the decomposition of free format statements of need into the rigorously defined design context and required functions, which form the starting point of the function-means development process.

A knowledge-based simulation environment for hierarchical flexible manufacturing

This article presents an approach to embedding expert systems within an object oriented simulation environment. The basic idea is to create classes of expert system models that can be interfaced with other model classes. An expert system shell is developed within a knowledge-based design and simulation environment which combines artificial intelligence and systems modeling concepts. In the given framework, interruptible and distributed expert systems can be defined as components of simulations models. This facilitates simulation modeling of knowledge-based controls for flexible manufacturing and many other autonomous intelligent systems. Moreover, the structure of a system can be specified using a recursive system entity structure (SES) and unfolded to generate a family of hierarchical structures using an extension of SES pruning called recursive pruning. This recursive generation of hierarchical structures is especially appropriate for design of multilevel flexible factories. The article illustrates the utility of the proposed framework within the flexible manufacturing context.

Domain-oriented design environments

The field of knowledge-based software engineering has been undergoing a shift in emphasis from automatic programming to human augmentation and empowerment. In our research work, we support this shift with an approach that embedshuman-computer cooperative problem-solving tools intodomain-oriented, knowledge-based design environments. Domain orientation reduces the large conceptual distance between problem-domain semantics and software artifacts. Integrated environments support the coevolution of specification and construction while allowing designers to access relevant knowledge at each stage within the software development process.

Vehicles knowledge-based design environment

Vehicles knowledge-based design environment

Supporting Indirect Collaborative Design With Integrated Knowledge-Based Design Environments

We are developing a conceptual framework and a demonstration system for collaboration among members of design teams when direct communication among these members is impossible or impractical. Our research focuses on the long-term, indirect communication needs of project teams rather than the short-term needs of face-to-face communication or electronic mail. We address these needs with integrated, domain-oriented design environments. Our conceptual framework and our system-building efforts address two major issues: (a) How does individual work blend into project work (especially in large projects that span great distances and time)? and (b) What role do the work objects play in this coordination? We use a specific domain-oriented design environment (NETWORK-HYDRA-for the design of computer networks) to illustrate our approach, and we discuss HYDRA as the underlying domain-independent, multifaceted architecture for design environments.

Supporting software designers with integrated domain-oriented design environments

An approach that embeds human-computer cooperative problem-solving tools into knowledge-based design environments that work in conjunction with human software designers in specific application domains is described. This human-centered approach takes advantage of peoples' ability to understand and incrementally reformulate their problems, while allowing them to contribute to the gradual improvement of the underlying knowledge base. The notion of evolution circumvents the inability of the original builders of a design environment to anticipate all future needs and knowledge for complete coverage of a domain. The access and development of knowledge is supported in a cycle of location, comprehension, and modification. Modification includes the evolution of the knowledge base and tools. A framework for building such tools and mechanisms is described and illustrated in terms of three systems: CATALOGEXPLORER, EXPLAINER, and MODIFIER. User studies of these systems demonstrate the promise and the limitations of the design environment approach. >

Beyond the macho approach of artificial intelligence: empower human designers — do not replace them

Designers deal with ill defined and wicked problems that are characterized by fluctuating and conflicting requirements. Traditional design methodologies that are based on the separation between problem setting (analysis) and problem solving (synthesis) are inadequate for the solution of these problems. The supporting of design with computers requires a cooperative problem-solving approach that empowers designers with integrated, domain-oriented, knowledge-based design environments. The paper describes the motivation for the latter approach, and introduces an architecture for such design environments. It focuses on the integration of specification, construction, and a catalogue of prestored design objects in those environments to illustrate how such integrated design environments empower human designers. The Catalog Explorer system component, which is described in detail, assists designers in the location of examples in the catalogue that are relevant to the task at hand, as partially articulated by the current specification and construction. Users are thereby relieved of the tasks of forming queries or navigating in information spaces. The last part of the paper discusses the relationship of the work with the conceptual framework developed by Donald Schön.

DISCDA — A digital system controller design assistant

DISCDA is a knowledge-based design environment that assists the hardware designer in the task of designing digital system controllers. The design methodology supported in DISCDA is a top-down methodology called Mnemonic Documented State diagrams (MDS diagrams) is used to specify the control algorithm. Major design decisions are still made by the designer withe DISCDA providing the required information and performing the more tedious tasks.

A Knowledge-Based Design Environment for Speech Recognition Systems

The progress in speech technology over the last 30 years has come to a stage, where simple yet practical speech recognition systems could be built. Designing of such systems is an evolutionary process requiring a lot of experimentation. This lengthy and involved process is a major hurdle in developing useful commercial systems like a voice-input telephone dialer. To overcome this problem, we propose the use of a knowledge-based design environment.For analysing a given problem, a framework based on PR and AI concepts is explained using the example of a telephone dialer. Then some representative speech recognition/understanding systems are reviewed to give some idea about the design aspects like the system architecture, PR subtasks involved, AI techniques used etc. Finally the concept of a design environment is explained. The environment is considered as a collection of knowledge-based tools with a global knowledge-base about speech technology.

ULYSSES—a knowledge-based VLSI design environment

Ulysses is a VLSI computer-aided design (CAD) environment which effectively addresses the problems associated with CAD tool integration. Specifically, Ulysses allows the integration of CAD tools into a design automation system, the codification of a design methodology, and the representation of a design space. Ulysses keeps track of the progress of a design and allows exploration of the design space. The environment employs artificial intelligence techniques, functions as an interactive expert system, and interprets descriptions of design tasks encoded in the scripts language. The architecture of Ulysses is described in detail. Ulysses has been successfully used to perform a VLSI chip floor planning and layout task and has produced an example chip.