A Port Ontology for Conceptual Design of Systems

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 206-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vei-Chung Liang ◽  
Christiaan J. J. Paredis

During conceptual design of systems, the emphasis is on generating the system architecture: the configuration of sub-systems and the interactions between them. Ports, as locations of intended interaction, play an important role at this stage of design. They are convenient abstractions for representing the intended exchange of signals, energy or material; they can be applied at different levels of detail, across different energy domains, and to all aspects of design: form, function, and behavior. But to play this versatile role, ports need to be represented in an unambiguous yet flexible fashion, accommodating the differences in vocabulary and approach across different disciplines and perspectives. In this article, we introduce the semantic structure for such an unambiguous representation: a port ontology. The ontology formalizes the conceptualization of ports such that engineers and computer aided design applications can reason about component connections and interactions in system configuration. It defines ports in terms of form, function and behavior attributes and further includes axioms that can be used to support a variety of engineering design tasks, such as port refinement, port compatibility checking, and the instantiation of interaction models. A LEGO example is used to illustrate the ontology and its applications in conceptual design.

Author(s):  
Günay Orbay ◽  
Mehmet Ersın Yümer ◽  
Levent Burak Kara

AbstractThe hierarchical construction of solid models with current computer-aided design systems provide little support in creating and editing free-form surfaces commonly encountered in industrial design. In this work, we propose a new design exploration method that enables sketch-based editing of free-form surface geometries where specific modifications can be applied at different levels of detail. This multilevel detail approach allows the designer to work from existing models and make alterations at coarse and fine representations of the geometry, thereby providing increased conceptual flexibility during modeling. At the heart of our approach lies a multiscale representation of the geometry obtained through a spectral analysis on the discrete free-form surface. This representation is accompanied by a sketch-based surface editing algorithm that enables edits to be made at different levels. The seamless transfer of modifications across different levels of detail facilitates a fluid exploration of the geometry by eliminating the need for a manual specification of the shape hierarchy. We demonstrate our method with several design examples.


Author(s):  
Zolta´n Rusa´k ◽  
Imre Horva´th ◽  
Wilfred van der Vegte

The focus in computer-aided design is shifting from geometric aspects to functional aspects and from the detail design to a multi-aspect conceptual design. As a consequence, new concepts are emerging and being tested, for instance, for comprehensive geometric and functional modeling in conceptual design. This paper introduces a new approach, which has been called relations-based design. Relations are existential, manifestation and behavioral associations, dependencies and interactions between human, artifacts and environments. Nucleus is introduced as a generic modeling entity, which includes two regions of one or two objects that are interconnected by a system of relations in a particular situation. A design concept (or an artifact) is conceived as a purposeful composition of specific instances of nuclei. The nucleus can be instantiated at multiple levels such as entity, component, subassembly and assembly. A set of relations has been predefined to express qualitative and quantitative associations, dependencies and interactions between objects in a parameterized form on these levels. As a modeling entity, the nucleus offers many advantages in multi-aspect conceptual modeling by integrating incomplete and uncertain geometric, structural, physical and behavioral modeling. The paper introduces the foundational theories, the most important mathematical definitions, and the concept of information management. Finally, it points at some advantages of relations based modeling in the context of application cases comparing it with the physical modeling offered in a commercial system.


Author(s):  
Andrew Koehring ◽  
Eliot Winer

Currently, there are many engineering software packages targeted toward high fidelity modeling. Computer aided design (CAD) tools are one example of this. The need for increasingly accurate models has caused this class of software to become even more detailed and comprehensive. Modeling a single design can be a time intensive process; so much so, that most modeling is done by specifically trained CAD professionals, not designers. These advancements in CAD software are at odds with the goal of conceptual design, which is to generate and evaluate as many concepts as possible in a limited amount of time. Within the engineering design process, changes made in preliminary stages have much greater impact for significantly less cost. Unfortunately, few software packages exist that are tailored for use so early in a product’s design cycle. This paper presents an application developed specifically for conceptual design. Through the use of an augmented reality environment, designers are able to quickly and intuitively assemble concepts. Potential designs can be easily manipulated in three dimensions, enhancing the ability to communicate the idea to others.


2013 ◽  
Vol 275-277 ◽  
pp. 2595-2600
Author(s):  
Kang Liu ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Wu Zhao ◽  
Wen Qiang Li

The conceptual design model for mechanical product and its computer aided design are the important and focus problems. A mechanical product design process of FPBS model, function-principle-behavior-structure model, was put forward and discussed. The semantic relationships between the elements of FPBS model were studied to make foundation for the application of FPBS model. The operational demand of knowledge system for FPBS model was analyzed, and indicates the ontology can be applied effectively to knowledge system operation of FPBS model. Then, an ontology based FPBS model was established and a FPBS ontology model system was constructed. The experimental results indicate the model can be used in computer aided conceptual design for mechanical product effectively.


1988 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umesh Kumar ◽  
Arun Mirchandani

The differential equation describing the small signal behavior of a MOSFET channel is derived. Based on the analogy of the channel to distributed transmission lines, which has been very well established in literature, an entirely new RGC line model of MOSFET is presented. The element values of the line are determined by equivalence to a general distributed transmission line and subsequently the model is lumped into a single section in two possible Π and T representations. The postulated model considerably simplifies the study of the properties and behavior of MOSFET structures and can be suitably utilized in analysis and Computer Aided Design.


Cubic Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 54-69
Author(s):  
Iain Choi ◽  
Fann Zhi

This paper explores how Peer-to-Peer learning can level-up students' understanding of computer-aided design (CAD) with Autodesk Auto- CAD programme for Interior Design Year 1 students. As students come from different knowledge backgrounds, they approach the module with different understanding levels, with the weaker students unable to follow the live demonstration tutorials. A peer tutoring assignment using a student-led peer-to-peer learning pedagogy, was introduced to advance students' understanding and internalise content better by reinforcing their learning. Each group has an equal proportion of students with different levels of knowledge and capabilities, and each group member conducted self-research on a topic segment, shared their knowledge and findings within their group, and thereafter curated a 15-minute lecture and facilitation workshop for peers. Tutors provided consultation and mediation, encouraging students’ participation. The assignment’s results showed that the peer-to-peer learning approach efficaciously empowered students and motivated learning, enabling them to be self-directed learners.


Author(s):  
Ameya Divekar ◽  
Joshua D. Summers

Design engineers create models of design artifacts with commercial Computer Aided Design (CAD) solid modeling systems and manage the data files through Product Data Management (PDM) systems. These systems stop short of providing support for querying and retrieving data from “within” the CAD data files. A true CAD query language that allows designers the flexibility to describe queries against single and multiple CAD files would be of great benefit for design engineers. This query language ought to be both datacentric and user-centric in nature. The design exemplar, a datastructure that provides a standard representation of design knowledge based upon a general constraint validation and satisfaction algorithm, is shown here to be a concept upon which a CAD query language may be developed. The first required extension of the design exemplar is the inclusion of logical connectives. Some insights into the different levels at which the extensions may be implemented are discussed. Also, some applications retrieving geometric data using this query language are demonstrated. The query language, as it evolves, is expected to support geometric retrieval across domains and offer an all-purpose approach to geometric retrieval.


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