1,721,036 research outputs found
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
Modelling flexibility and qualification ability to assess electric propulsion architectures for satellite megaconstellations
No full textThe higher satellite production rates expected in new megaconstellation scenarios involve radical changes in the way design trade-offs need to be considered by electric propulsion companies. In relative comparison, flexibility and qualification ability will have a higher impact in megaconstellations compared to traditional businesses. For these reasons, this paper proposes a methodology for assessing flexible propulsion architectures by taking into account variations in market behavior and qualification activities. Through the methodology, flexibility and qualification ability can be traded against traditional engineering attributes (such as functional performances) in a quantitative way. The use of the methodology is illustrated through an industrial case related to the study of xenon vs. krypton architectures for megaconstellation businesses. This paper provides insights on how to apply the methodology in other case studies, in order to enable engineering teams to present and communicate the impact of alternative architectural concepts to program managers and decision-makers
Enhancing supply chain collaboration in automotive industry by value driven simulation
No full textThis paper presents a computer-based approach for conceptual design that aims to enhance collaborative supply chain development in the automotive sector when dealing with product-service development or radical innovations. The focus of the research has been to design a simulation approach that will enable designers and managers to simulate and evaluate the value of different design options for the different stakeholders involved in the development process and to have insights about the implications between business model innovation and the engineered aspects of the solutions early in the conceptual phase. The approach is presented using a case study within the current project, after following a team responsible for the car cockpit. Four possible scenario have been simulated and evaluated using a commercial simulation software. The main advantage of the proposed approach is to enhance the awareness among designers and managers of the value of different design options, and allow them to explore further how business and design aspects profoundly affect each other, in order to support early decision-making in the design process. © 2013 The Design Society, unless otherwise stated
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
Maturity of models in a multi-model decision support system
No full textTo reduce uncertainty in decisions, engineers experiment with models, such as, exploring what-if scenarios, and thus increase knowledge. Still, because modelling is an idealisation of reality, there is often substantial uncertainty involved, and this decision makers less confident to lean onto models alone when making decisions. The aim of this paper is to conceptualize a design support for improving confidence and validity in models, by communicating uncertainties from modelling and simulation to relevant stakeholders. The paper reports on empirical data from a research profile workshop. The findings illustrate the importance of communicating uncertainties from models between relevant stakeholders in order to drive action. The paper then presents an approach to visualize model maturity levels as well as impact levels in relation to one or several aggregated models. With this approach, focus can move to discuss the knowledge about the knowledge that is created from modelling, and to facilitate discussions on a meta-level about the modelling and simulation. This is exemplified by a test scenario where a multi-disciplinary modelling and simulation of an asphalt roller is presented
Simulation-driven Design for Assessing Strategic Decisions in the Conceptual Design of Circular PSS Business Models
No full textDue to ever increasing challenges faced by our global society, circular design and the idea of product-service systems (PSS) is gaining traction within businesses. However, 'predicting' the value of a future PSS solution in the early design phases is difficult, since it requires the ability to balance long term potential with short term decisions. Modelling and simulation is believed to be able to support this challenging task. A simulation framework for circular design of PSS is presented. The simulation process enables the comparison between functional and non-functional performances and their life cycle contributions depending on a defined PSS-like business model strategy. Such integrated simulation framework is intended to exploit engineering models outside their specific discipline, enabling cross-functional collaboration and help decision makers understand how a design can contribute in satisfying customer and stakeholders needs during the lifecycle of a PSS
Using models as boundary objects in early design negotiations: Analysis and implications for decision support systems
No full textOne common strategy to include more downstream lifecycle dimensions in early design is to enrich modelling and simulation techniques embedded in decision support systems. However, downstream dimensions are difficult to trade against more traditional engineering objectives. This research studied through individual interviews how six disciplines use models to negotiate design trade-offs. References to models were categorised according to whether models supported or hampered the duration of trade-off identification and how they impacted the duration of trade-off resolution. The results point to the difficulty of applying downstream lifecycle issues earlier in the design process because of the characteristics of the models that are used. A list of characteristics promoting and limiting the use of four models as boundary objects (CAD models, simulation results, total cost of ownership and decision matrices) is provided. The cross-analysis of these characteristics provides insights into how models need to be organised in decision support systems
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