Improving the Design Process by Predicting Downstream Values of Design Attributes

Author(s):  
Simon Szykman

Abstract This paper presents a computational approach to developing design space models that are utilized to improve the design process by predicting values of downstream design attributes based on information available at early stages, such as preliminary design specifications. The predictive models are similar in function, though not in form, to the internal (mental) models created by experienced designers; however, the advantages of these models are that it may be possible to construct them in the absence of a designer’s internal models, and that they can be passed on to and used by less experienced designers. Once created, the computational models aid designers in exploration of design alternatives and to reduce design costs and product development time.

Author(s):  
Gerard Jounghyun Kim ◽  
Simon Szykman

Abstract This paper presents an integrated framework for assembly design. The framework allows the designer to represent knowledge about the design process and constraints, as well as information about the artifact being designed, design history and rationale. Because the complexity of assembly design leads to extremely large design spaces, adequately supporting design space exploration is a key issue that must be addressed. This is achieved in part by allowing the designer to use both top-down and bottom-up approaches to assembly design. Exploration of the design space is further enabled by incorporating a simulated annealing-based optimization tool that allows the designer to rapidly complete partial designs, refine complete designs, and generate multiple design alternatives.


Author(s):  
Michael J. Scott ◽  
Rolf W. Kaiser ◽  
Matthew Dilligan ◽  
Robert J. Glaser ◽  
Erik K. Antonsson

Abstract An analysis tool to aid in preliminary design of re-entry aeroshells for interplanetary exploration is presented. The computational tool addresses a common feature of design analysis, the need to make use of results from several analysis regimes and from several sources. This paper formalizes for computation what has historically been a matter of informal engineering judgment. The automation of design analysis allows for more extensive search of the design space, and thus supports a design process that is at once more thorough and more efficient. The human designer uses experience and intuition to combine results from different analyses. Here, this combination is formalized by recognizing that each analysis tool is valid in particular regimes of the design problem; where regimes overlap, a combination based on participation factors (and utilizing the mathematics of fuzzy sets) is employed. An aggregated level of confidence for each solution point is also calculated.


2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 397-408
Author(s):  
Roberto Rocca ◽  
Fabio Giulii Capponi ◽  
Giulio De Donato ◽  
Savvas Papadopoulos ◽  
Federico Caricchi ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Julia Reisinger ◽  
Maximilian Knoll ◽  
Iva Kovacic

AbstractIndustrial buildings play a major role in sustainable development, producing and expending a significant amount of resources, energy and waste. Due to product individualization and accelerating technological advances in manufacturing, industrial buildings strive for highly flexible building structures to accommodate constantly evolving production processes. However, common sustainability assessment tools do not respect flexibility metrics and manufacturing and building design processes run sequentially, neglecting discipline-specific interaction, leading to inflexible solutions. In integrated industrial building design (IIBD), incorporating manufacturing and building disciplines simultaneously, design teams are faced with the choice of multiple conflicting criteria and complex design decisions, opening up a huge design space. To address these issues, this paper presents a parametric design process for efficient design space exploration in IIBD. A state-of-the-art survey and multiple case study are conducted to define four novel flexibility metrics and to develop a unified design space, respecting both building and manufacturing requirements. Based on these results, a parametric design process for automated structural optimization and quantitative flexibility assessment is developed, guiding the decision-making process towards increased sustainability. The proposed framework is tested on a pilot-project of a food and hygiene production, evaluating the design space representation and validating the flexibility metrics. Results confirmed the efficiency of the process that an evolutionary multi-objective optimization algorithm can be implemented in future research to enable multidisciplinary design optimization for flexible industrial building solutions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 2927-2955
Author(s):  
Mar Palmeros Parada ◽  
Lotte Asveld ◽  
Patricia Osseweijer ◽  
John Alexander Posada

AbstractBiobased production has been promoted as a sustainable alternative to fossil resources. However, controversies over its impact on sustainability highlight societal concerns, value tensions and uncertainties that have not been taken into account during its development. In this work, the consideration of stakeholders’ values in a biorefinery design project is investigated. Value sensitive design (VSD) is a promising approach to the design of technologies with consideration of stakeholders’ values, however, it is not directly applicable for complex systems like biorefineries. Therefore, some elements of VSD, such as the identification of relevant values and their connection to a technology’s features, are brought into biorefinery design practice. Midstream modulation (MM), an approach to promoting the consideration of societal aspects during research and development activities, is applied to promote reflection and value considerations during the design decision making. As result, it is shown that MM interventions during the design process led to new design alternatives in support of stakeholders' values, and allowed to recognize and respond to emerging value tensions within the scope of the project. In this way, the present work shows a novel approach for the technical investigation of VSD, especially for biorefineries. Also, based on this work it is argued that not only reflection, but also flexibility and openness are important for the application of VSD in the context of biorefinery design.


Author(s):  
Jan Schumann ◽  
Ulrich Harbecke ◽  
Daniel Sahnen ◽  
Thomas Polklas ◽  
Peter Jeschke ◽  
...  

The subject of the presented paper is the validation of a design method for HP and IP steam turbine stages. Common design processes have been operating with simplified design methods in order to quickly obtain feasible stage designs. Therefore, inaccuracies due to assumptions in the underlying methods have to be accepted. The focus of this work is to quantify the inaccuracy of a simplified design method compared to 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. Short computing time is very convenient in preliminary design; therefore, common design methods work with a large degree of simplification. The origin of the presented analysis is a mean line design process, dealing with repeating stage conditions. Two features of the preliminary design are the stage efficiency, based on loss correlations, and the mechanical strength, obtained by using the beam theory. Due to these simplifications, only a few input parameters are necessary to define the primal stage geometry and hence, the optimal design can easily be found. In addition, by using an implemented law to take the radial equilibrium into account, the appropriate twist of the blading can be defined. However, in comparison to the real radial distribution of flow angles, this method implies inaccuracies, especially in regions of secondary flow. In these regions, twisted blades, developed by using the simplified radial equilibrium, will be exposed to a three-dimensional flow, which is not considered in the design process. The analyzed design cases show that discrepancies at the hub and shroud section do exist, but have minor effects. Even the shroud section, with its thinner leading-edge, is not vulnerable to these unanticipated flow angles.


Author(s):  
Zsolt Lattmann ◽  
Adam Nagel ◽  
Jason Scott ◽  
Kevin Smyth ◽  
Chris vanBuskirk ◽  
...  

We describe the use of the Cyber-Physical Modeling Language (CyPhyML) to support trade studies and integration activities in system-level vehicle designs. CyPhyML captures parameterized component behavior using acausal models (i.e. hybrid bond graphs and Modelica) to enable automatic composition and synthesis of simulation models for significant vehicle subsystems. Generated simulations allow us to compare performance between different design alternatives. System behavior and evaluation are specified independently from specifications for design-space alternatives. Test bench models in CyPhyML are given in terms of generic assemblies over the entire design space, so performance can be evaluated for any selected design instance once automated design space exploration is complete. Generated Simulink models are also integrated into a mobility model for interactive 3-D simulation.


Author(s):  
David G. Ullman ◽  
Thomas G. Dietterich ◽  
Larry A. Stauffer

This paper describes the task/episode accumulation model (TEA model) of non-routine mechanical design, which was developed after detailed analysis of the audio and video protocols of five mechanical designers. The model is able to explain the behavior of designers at a much finer level of detail than previous models. The key features of the model are (a) the design is constructed by incrementally refining and patching an initial conceptual design, (b) design alternatives are not considered outside the boundaries of design episodes (which are short stretches of problem solving aimed at specific goals), (c) the design process is controlled locally, primarily at the level of individual episodes. Among the implications of the model are the following: (a) CAD tools should be extended to represent the state of the design at more abstract levels, (b) CAD tools should help the designer manage constraints, and (c) CAD tools should be designed to give cognitive support to the designer.


Author(s):  
Robert M. Koch

Abstract The present work describes an integrated, two-phase computer-based method for fabricating marine propulsors using stereolithography. This new methodology seamlessly integrates stereolithography rapid prototyping techniques with the hydrodynamic design, structural design, and prototype testing of advanced marine propulsors in order to greatly increase the design process efficiency and reduce development time. Its use as applied to the design, fabrication, and testing of advanced propulsor prototypes for small weapon’s-scale undersea vehicles (e.g., Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), lightweight and heavyweight torpedoes, etc.) is described in order to demonstrate specific strengths of the new method.


1983 ◽  
Author(s):  
George S. Hazen ◽  
Steve Killing

From the perspective of the design office, this paper examines the manner in which computers are streamlining and changing the design process for today's sailing yachts. Starting with preliminary design and progressing through the more detailed aspects of final design, the computer's varying roles in the design process are traced with examples drawn from currently implemented programs. In addition to its customary role as a bookkeeper, the computer's remarkable graphics capabilities are highlighted. The authors offer a glimpse of what programs and hardware tomorrow's yacht designer will use as frequently as his curves and battens. The paper covers such subjects as design follow-up, sailing analysis and feedback into the original design process. Since designers are not the only ones to benefit from the computer revolution, the authors have included sections on computer generated sailing aids for the yachtsman and possible CAD/CAM applications for the boatbuilder.


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