Design Ideator: A Conceptual Design Toolbox

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Narsale ◽  
Y. Chen ◽  
M. Mohan ◽  
Jami J. Shah
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Analogical Reasoning ◽  
Divergent Thinking ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Problem Formulation ◽  
Knowledge Bases ◽  
Concept Generation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Aided Design

Computer tools for embodiment and detailed engineering design (computer-aided design (CAD)) evolved rapidly in the past 35 years and are now pervasive throughout the industry. But todays commercial CAD is geometry-centric, not appropriate for early stages of design when detailed geometry and dimensions are not known. This paper describes a framework and a set of interconnected tools for conceptual design. In this system, a broad range of intuitive and experiential concept generation methods have been operationalized and implemented as databases, artifact repositories, knowledge bases, and interactive procedures to promote divergent thinking. The so-called “Design Ideator” includes methods for flexible and dynamic design problem formulation, re-formulation, and restructuring in the form of hierarchical and re-configurable morphological charts. This tool has been continuously enhanced through three phases of user studies and feedback. The main contributions of this work are as follows. First, this research has created a holistic framework with interlaced knowledge bases from a wide range of methods, as opposed to past research that have relied on single experiential only method. Second, we have formulated algorithms to support several intuitive methods, such as contextual shifting, analogical reasoning, provocative stimuli, and combinatorial play.

Multi-Modal Knowledge Bases to Facilitate Conceptual Mechanical Design

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong-Seok Park ◽  
Sumit Sunil Narsale ◽  
Pradeep Kumar Mani ◽  
Jami J. Shah
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Problem Formulation ◽  
Knowledge Bases ◽  
Interactive System ◽  
Concept Generation ◽  
Web Based ◽  
External Resources ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Abstraction Levels

Over the past several years we have been building a variety of knowledge bases and tools to support conceptual design of mechanical systems. Both intuitive and logical methods have been embedded into system. An interactive system for concept generation and synthesis based on hierarchical morphological charts has been implemented to serve as an organizational framework. Knowledge bases span a wide range of abstraction levels, from physical effects and working principles at one end, to artifact repositories, linkages/mechanisms and common machine elements. Existing knowledge bases from various sources were combined with those developed in-house to create a comprehensive set. User studies on two previous versions of the tool gave us valuable information about enhancements and improvements, both to the knowledge and to the user interface. This paper describes the third incarnation of our Testbed. The methods are now grouped into six modules: Problem Formulation, Re-formulation, Searching for Standard Solutions, Generating sub-solutions from first principles, Gateways to External Resources, Synthesis and Process Monitoring. In addition, users can monitor their state and process. Multilayer morphological charts provide more flexible options as well as customizable solution sets to users. The Testbed is implemented as a web based application implemented in CakePHP (MVC) and PHP. For storing and retrieving data SQLite was used. This Testbed has the dual purpose of design facilitation for novices and for research on conceptual design and creativity.

Design Ideation Framework to Support Reframing and Reformulation

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumit Sunil Narsale ◽  
Ying Chen ◽  
Maryam Khorshidi ◽  
Jami J. Shah
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Analogical Reasoning ◽  
Problem Formulation ◽  
Knowledge Bases ◽  
Computer Tool ◽  
Alternative Generation ◽  
Organizational Framework ◽  
Design Ideation

The long term aim of this research is to develop a framework for holistic ideation which will integrate both intuitive and experiential methods. Towards that goal, we have developed a computer tool that consists of a variety of disparate knowledge-bases, databases and design repositories that the designer can choose from as his ideation state evolves. Such a strategy is in contrast with the approach of using a single ideation method/tool. Conceptual design requires both problem formulation/re-formulation and alternative generation. This paper discusses an organizational framework to support reformulation and ideation in a multi-tool environment. The proposed framework consists of cascading hierarchical morphological charts that are dynamic. We also discuss how this framework can be used in supporting provocative stimuli, analogical reasoning and make random or deliberate connections between sub-solutions. Web implementation of the tool will make it available to the design community for education and experimentation.

Study on Application of CAD Used in Visual Advertising Design

2014 ◽  
Vol 571-572 ◽  
pp. 768-771
Author(s):  
Jun Liu
Keyword(s):  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Television Advertising ◽  
Paper Study ◽  
Application Technology ◽  
Visual Effects ◽  
3D Technology ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Computer Aided ◽  
Visual Impact ◽  
Aided Design

The 3D technology currently has in various engineering fields have a wide range of applications, all the 3D visual effects technology can bring us visual impact, the use of 3D technology produced by the television advertising more easily accepted by the audience, this paper study on the 3D computer-aided design advertising design application technology.

scholarly journals An Immersive VR Application for Interactive Product Concept Generation and Qualitative Evaluation

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Noon ◽  
Ruqin Zhang ◽  
Eliot Winer ◽  
Jim Oliver ◽  
Brian Gilmore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Design Phase ◽  
Concept Generation ◽  
Early Assessment ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Conceptual Design Phase

Currently, new product concepts are evaluated by developing detailed virtual models with Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools followed by evaluation analyses (e.g., finite element analysis, computational fluid dynamics, etc.). Due to the complexity of these evaluation methods, it is generally not possible to model and analyze each of the ideas generated throughout the conceptual design phase of the design process. Thus, promising ideas may be eliminated based solely on insufficient time to model and assess them. Additionally, the analysis performed is usually of much higher detail than needed for such early assessment. By eliminating the time-consuming CAD complexity, engineers could spend more time evaluating additional concepts. To address these issues, a software framework, the Advanced Systems Design Suite (ASDS), was created. The ASDS incorporates a PC user interface with an immersive virtual reality (VR) environment to ease the creation and assessment of conceptual design prototypes individually or collaboratively in a VR environment. Assessment tools incorporate metamodeling approximations and immersive visualization to evaluate the validity of each concept. In this paper, the ASDS framework and interface along with specifically designed immersive VR assessment tools such as state saving, dynamic viewpoint creation, and animation playback are presented alongside a test case example of redesigning a Boeing 777 in the conceptual design phase.

Towards Computer Aided Design and Analysis of Spatial Flexure Mechanisms

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omer Anil Turkkan ◽  
Hai-Jun Su
Keyword(s):  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Screw Theory ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Future Design ◽  
Linear Elastic ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
System Equations ◽  
Compliance Matrices ◽  
Aided Design

Flexure mechanisms are the central part of numerous precision instruments and devices that are used in a wide range of science and engineering applications and currently, design of flexure mechanisms often heavily relies on designers’ previous hands-on experience. Therefore, a design tool that will speed up the design process is needed and this paper will introduce a systematic approach for building the necessary equations that are based on screw theory and linear elastic theory to analyze flexure mechanisms. A digital library of commonly used flexure elements must be available for a design tool and therefore, we first present the compliance matrices of commonly used flexure components. Motion twists and force wrenches of the screw theory can be related with these compliance matrices. Then, we introduce an algorithm that constructs the required linear system equations from individual compliance equations. This algorithm is applicable to flexure mechanisms with serial, parallel or hybrid chains. Finally, the algorithm is tested with a flexure mechanisms and it is shown that this approach can be the core of a future design tool.

Technology Education in the Middle Level School: Its Role and Purpose

1999 ◽  
Vol 83 (608) ◽  
pp. 34-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark E. Sanders
Keyword(s):  
Technology Education ◽  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
World Wide ◽  
Magnetic Levitation ◽  
Education Technology ◽  
Middle Level ◽  
Digital Electronics ◽  
Flight Simulators ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Aided Design

The curriculum and method of technology education remain one of the best-kept secrets in all education. Technology education engages students in a wide range of the very latest technologies: digital imaging, lasers, robotics, solar energy, World Wide Web development, magnetic levitation vehicles, analog and digital electronics, flight simulators, computer-aided design, and so forth.

First Steps Towards an All Embracing Relations-Based Modeling

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zolta´n Rusa´k ◽  
Imre Horva´th ◽  
Wilfred van der Vegte
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Conceptual Modeling ◽  
Detail Design ◽  
Functional Aspects ◽  
New Concepts ◽  
Generic Modeling ◽  
Concept Of Information ◽  
Mathematical Definitions ◽  
Aided Design

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.

An Augmented Reality Tool for Conceptual Design

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Koehring ◽  
Eliot Winer
Keyword(s):  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Engineering Software ◽  
Engineering Design Process ◽  
Software Packages ◽  
Design Cycle ◽  
Aided Design ◽  
Comprehensive Modeling

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.

Research of Ontology Based FPBS Design Model

2013 ◽  
Vol 275-277 ◽  
pp. 2595-2600
Author(s):  
Kang Liu ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Wu Zhao ◽  
Wen Qiang Li
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Knowledge System ◽  
Design Model ◽  
Structure Model ◽  
Model Function ◽  
Semantic Relationships ◽  
Computer Aided ◽  
Product Design Process ◽  
Aided Design

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.

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