1,721,070 research outputs found
Function model-based generation of CAD model variants
No full textA product is an artefact which fulfils a specific function. However, most design automation (DA) approaches wich are used to generate multiple alternative design concepts focus on the generation of CAD models. These neglect to represent the functional aspects of the product, and are furthermore deemed too rigid for the introductino of novel solutions. Pure function modellingappraoches on the other hand provides methods such as design rationale representation, introduction of novel solutions or instantiation of combinatorial alternative concepts, but the resulting models are insufficient for analysis. To alleviate this, a design space exploration (DSE) approach which couples function modelling and CAD is presented. The approachlinks the product’s design rationale modelled in enhanced functionmeans (EF-M) to a DA approach via the here introduced object model for function and geometry (OMFG). The resulting method is able to automatically generate CAD models of alternative concepts based on combinations of alternative design solutions defined in the function model. The approach is presented through a case study of an aircraft engine component. Sixteen different concepts are generated based on four functions with alternative solutions. In an initial computation of the effort to generate all alternative concepts, the DA aspect of the approach’s effort pays off as soon as five functions have two or more alternative solutions. Beyond the benefit of efficient instantiation of CAD models of alternative product concepts, the approach promises to provide the design rationale behind each concept, and thereby a more systematic way of exploring and evaluating alternative design concepts
Problem decomposition: the key to Agile sprints in Design Research
No full textIn design research, parallelization and anticipation of tasks are crucial to having an effective impact on industry and society. In practice, however, parallelization and anticipation are difficult due to high inter-dependency among research problems and design supports. This paper proposes a framework to use the Design Structure Matrix combined with Axiomatic Design to isolate research problems and their design supports. This modular independence is an important building block to plan for quick and parallel agile design research “sprints”. The application of the approach is illustrated through two practical examples. The results highlight the importance to control a limited number of interfaces to work “agile” in design research without wasteful rework
Cost-efficient digital twins for design space exploration: A modular platform approach
Full text linkThe industrial need to predict the behaviour of radically new products brings renewed interest in how to set up and make use of physical prototypes and testing. However, conducting physical testing of a large number of radical concepts is still a costly approach. This paper proposes an approach to actively use digital twins in the early phases where the design can be largely changed. The approach is based on creating a set of digital twin modules that can be reused and recomposed to create digital twin variants. However, this paper considers that developing a digital twin can be very costly. Therefore, the approach focuses on supporting the decisions about the optimal mix of modules, and about whether a new digital twin module should be developed. The approach is applied to an industrial case derived from the collaboration with two space manufacturers. The results highlight how the design of the modular platform has an impact on the cost of the digital twin, if commonality and reusability aspects are considered. These results point at the cost-efficiency of applying a modular approach to digital twin creation, as a means to reuse the results from physical testing to validate new designs and their ranges of validit
Connecting functional and geometrical representations to support the evaluation of design alternatives for aerospace components
No full textNovel product concepts are often down-selected in favour of the incremental development of available designs. This can be attributed to the fact that for the development of a new product, simulations and analysis based on high-fidelity CAD models are required, which are expensive to create. To solve this problem, the use of a function model (FM) as intermediate step between ideation and embodiment is suggested. The approach has been examined in a case study with an aerospace company for the development of a turbine rear assembly, using multiple workshops and interviews with practitioners from the company. A multitude of novel solutions, even extending the functionality of the legacy design, were captured. The FM approach proved to support the representation, analysis, and configuration of 102 different concepts. Although supported by the FM model, the embodiment still showed to be a bottle neck for further development. The subsequent interviews with practitioners showed that the benefits of the approach were seen, but experienced as too complex. Further work will concern a more systematic connection between the FM and CAD model, in order to automate of the embodiment process
Fuzzy model-based design for testing and qualification of additive manufacturing components
Full text linkThe uncertainties and variation of additive manufacturing (AM) material properties and their impact on product quality trouble designers. The lack of experience in AM technologies renders the experts' assessment of AM components and the establishment of safety margins difficult. Consequently, unexpected qualification difficulties resulting in expensive and lengthy redesign processes might arise. To reduce the risk of qualification failure, engineers might perform copious time-consuming and expensive specimen testing in early phases, or establish overconservative design margins, overriding the weight reduction benefits of AM technologies. In this article, a model-based design method is proposed for the conceptual design of AM space components with affordable test phases. The method utilizes fuzzy logics to systematically account for experts' assessment of AM properties variation, and to provide an early estimation of a product qualification likelihood related to design parameters of interest, without the need for copious testing. The estimation of qualification likelihood can also point out which are the unique AM material uncertainties that require further specific testing, to enable the design of a product with a better performance and more affordable test phases. The method is demonstrated with the design for AM gridded of ion thrusters for satellite applications
Modeling Technical Risk Propagation Using Field-Effects in Automotive Technology Infusion Design Studies
No full textThe integration of novel technologies into existing product architectures poses significant challenges, especially in managing the associated technical risks that affect system functionality and reliability. Traditional methods often struggle with the unpredictability and complexity of field effects due to technological integration. To address these challenges, this study introduces a novel DSM (Design Structure Matrix)-based method that accurately accounts for and mitigates both first-order and higher-order field effects. By employing the inverse-square law, our method quantifies the attenuation of field effects with distance, thereby enhancing the precision of impact assessments across the system architecture. This approach is substantiated through a case study involving the introduction of a steer-by-wire (SbW) system in automotive design. The case study highlights the method’s effectiveness in identifying and managing potential integration points for new technologies, offering a systematic framework for minimizing risk and enhancing system design in automotive engineering. The success of this method in the case study provides practical insights into the design around the impact of field effects, emphasizing its applicability and value in real-world engineering scenarios
Interactive model-based decision-making tools in early product platform design
No full textIntegrating new technologies in existing product platforms presents challenges not only when the decision of going ahead with the integration is taken, but also in the earlier design of the platform structure to accommodate hypothetical changes in the future. Common heuristics do no guarantee that the optimum solution can be found to these kinds of problems, and biases lead to systematic distortions in decision-making. Additionally with the global zeitgeist around sustainable development, decision makers will increasingly ask for paths to many different versions of success, not just the traditional profit maximization one. A set of common models that accompanies the product platform all through its lifecycle to support decision makers can enable better fulfilment of the expectations of all stakeholders. But it is difficult to unify and objectively gather the views of multiple stakeholder simultaneously. An interactive modelbased decision making support system is proposed as a tool to solve the mentioned challenges. In this paper we describe and experiment with the main technological foundations of such a tool. These include an web-based front end, and a real-Time NoSQL database in the back end. The client web application (webapp) enables user inputs, runs quantitative models, and visualizes results. The database records results and enables the use of common inputs and common visualization of the results. The models that run directly in the client are developed offline and can be continuously deployed with no downtime for concurrent users. The technology stack used demonstrates that rapid prototyping of tools using state-of-The-Art web technologies provides quick results and enables researchers to make quick iterations that can be easily deployed in industrial use cases. The presented method is a new approach to providing digital support to the design process, by enabling better informed decisions during the product development process early phases. In this paper, an introduction and background to the problem and current state of the art is summarized, a method to approaching the topic is described, an experiment performed in front of a life audience is presented, and hints for future developments are considered in the discussion and conclusion sections
Impact on design when introducing additive manufacturing in space applications
No full textThis paper studied how the introduction of additive manufacturing (AM) in space applications impacts the design phases. Together with three manufacturers of space applications, the potential benefit as well as constraints are studied to identify design gaps. A literature survey is conducted to match the needs and following an analysis the impact on design practice is formulated. Results show the need to combine a wider design exploration capability, in combination with comparative modelling strategies
Designing Multi-Technological Resilient Objects in Product Platforms
No full textUncertainty about the market, environment, and technological landscape of the future challenges the ways companies utilize the notion of “product platforms” to gain efficiency during development and production. This paper reviews design approaches to cope with uncertainties and highlights the benefit of designing a platform to enable “resilience” to deal with uncertain situation without the need to change the structure or configuration of the product platform. To achieve resilience, the paper proposes to introduce “resilient objects” in regions of the product platform that are likely to be most affected by change. Resilient design objects are already common in practice, such as a spring-damper system in mechanical systems. However, since product platform are multi-technological, this paper proposes a way of representing generic resilient objects (along five different design domains) for multi-technological systems. This proposal is supported by illustrative examples. Future research opportunities are identified around extending the matrix of generic multi-technological resilient objects, and defining a systematic method to design, select and evaluate which resilient objects are more valuable to be inserted in specific regions of the product platform
Modular product design for additive manufacturing of satellite components: maximising product value using genetic algorithms
No full textFor space manufacturers, additive manufacturing promises to dramatically reduce weight and costs by means of integral designs achieved through part consolidation. However, integrated designs hinder the ability to change and service components over time – actually increasing costs – which is instead enabled by highly modular designs. Finding the optimal trade-off between integral and modular designs in additive manufacturing is of critical importance. In this article, a product modularisation methodology is proposed for supporting such trade-offs. The methodology is based on combining function modelling with optimisation algorithms. It evaluates product design concepts with respect to product adaptability, component interface costs, manufacturing costs and cost of post-processing activities. The developed product modularisation methodology is derived from data collected through a series of workshops with industrial practitioners from three different manufacturer companies of space products. The implementation of the methodology is demonstrated in a case study featuring the redesign of a satellite antenna
- …
