Computational Issues of a VDIM Based Multipurpose Modeling in Conceptual Design

To be able to model industrial products in conceptual design, aspects such as function, structure, shape, behavior, sustainability and service are typically considered. Tools developed until now usually focus on individual aspects. The author proposes a new modeling approach called vague discrete interval modeling (VDIM) that integrates shape, structure and behavior modeling. The integration is achieved by the introduction of a multipurpose modeling entity called particle. VDIM offers three means for the representation of a cluster of shapes, for instances of shapes and for physically-based manipulation of shapes. Interval modeling allows representing uncertainty of shapes, which is a characteristic property in shape conceptualization. In addition, particle systems can be applied to model the mechanical behavior of the product. This constructive modeling approach makes it possible to describe the procedural model of incomplete geometries and to capture the structural relations between components. The paper reports on the computational issues related to VDIM.