Innovative Production Machines and Systems Conference - Design Systems

Welcome to the "Intelligent Design Systems" Session

sceyw3 — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 17:02:48 +0100

Dear All,

Welcome to IPROMS 2006. I'm Wu Yan, the co-chair of the Intelligent Design Systems session. There are a number of interesting papers in this session. Their authors will be keen to know what you think about them and will look forward to receiving your constructive comments.

Virtual Environment Auditory Feedback Techniques to aid Manual Material Handling

soroka — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 09:52:28 +0100

D.T. Pham
Stefan Dimov
Faieza Abdul Aziz
Ieuan A. Nicholas

This paper compares and contrasts three types of auditory feedback techniques to aid safe manual material handling operations. The work reported aims to reduce lower back injuries by allowing people to gauge the forces acting on their lower back whilst moving an object from one location to another. This is particularly useful if the movement is repetitive in nature. Sensors monitor the human user’s head and hand movements in real-time. An analysis of Task Completion Time, Percentage of Harmful Lifts and Response Time to Feedback were analysed and used to identify the appropriateness of each auditory feedback technique.

Design for Rapid Manufacturing functional SLS parts

sceyw3 — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 15:20:02 +0100

Walter Kruf M. Sc., Bart van de Vorst B. Sc., Hessel Maalderink B. Sc.,Nico Kamperman M. Sc.
TNO Science and Industry, BU Design and Manufacturing, PO Box 6235, 5600 HE, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, nico.kamperman@tno.nl

An I-Ching-TRIZ inspired tool for retrieving conceptual design solutions

sceyw3 — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 15:16:22 +0100

This paper discusses the representation of the inventive principles of the TRIZ theory of Innovative Problem Solving as symbolic expressions. Each expression comprises two sets of relations between predicates and objects respectively. The expressions are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, the Inventive Principles Matrix (IPM), according to the predicates and objects that they contain. The structure of the IPM is inspired by the I-Ching system. A conceptual design problem is translated into a set of queries stating the objectives of the design and the constraints on the solution. The queries, also represented in a symbolic form, are then used to search the IPM for suitable solutions. The paper describes an application of the proposed IPM and query technique to the problem of designing a bushing.

Smart Design for Assembly using the Simulated Annealing Approach

sceyw3 — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 15:14:26 +0100

This paper is concerned with combinatorial optimization problem applied to spatial layout of components in mechatronic devices. There is a growing need in industry to create a flexible and intelligent design tool, which allows the engineer to handle the complexity and non-linearity involved with developing of 3D mechatronic device more effectively. The main objective of this research is to develop a feasible optimization algorithm based on Simulated Annealing (SA) method. SA represents a family of randomized algorithms that are used to solve a wide range of combinatorial optimization problems. This paper presents a conceptual model of an integrated design environment based on the SA algorithm embedded within a CAD software Solid Works. The focus is on the structural optimization of housing and layout design, with the objective to minimize the required assembly space. Also we present an attempt to automate the design process by introducing the integrative modeling approach for a set of design modules.

Neuro-fuzzy case-based design: An application in structural design

Dentsoras — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 15:10:32 +0100

A design approach and a design tool are presented that are based on human analogical reasoning for providing solutions and are used for the design of formworks for the construction of slabs.. Through a case-based design process, past solutions are compared with the current design case, and a subset of them is retrieved according to a defined similarity measure. In the present work, the retrieval process is performed on the basis of a competitive neural network, which is submitted to unsupervised training by using the existing design solutions. The design case is represented in terms of sets of design parameters and associated fuzzy preferences. In engineering design problems whose solutions could not be adapted in order to meet new requirements, the adaptation process is substituted by another approach that evaluates the retrieved design solutions according to the aggregation of the fuzzy preferences assigned to the current design problem. Therefore, the highly evaluated solutions may be manually adapted and modified by the designer based on both his/her creativity and experience. In engineering domains like structural engineering design, which can not be modelled computationally due to many different underlying disciplines, the designer’s personal capabilities may be augmented by a design tool such as the one presented here that substantially assists decision-making.

A Novel Method of Measuring the Similarity of Designs

sceyw3 — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 14:55:49 +0100

This paper introduces an approach for assessing the similarity of design models based on graph representation. The aim of this work is to develop a method to query a case base of design models, which are in the form of attributed graphs containing information about function, feature and structure, and to identify existing designs with graphs similar to those for the target problem. Similarity of design models is measured by concurrently applying a feature-based similarity measure and a structure-based similarity measure. The paper presents an example to illustrate the proposed approach.

Process Planning Support for Intermediate Steps Design of Axisymmetric Hot Close-Die Forging Parts

sceyw3 — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 14:52:58 +0100

Hot close-die forging processes are broadly used in manufacturing at the present time. The researchers still not strictly answered on the significant questions about necessity and shape of intermediate steps. General algorithm for process planning support for intermediate steps designs of axisymmetric hot close-die forging parts are presented in this study. Example of using this algorithm also is included in the paper.

Material-driven solution finding – functional materials in the design process

Guthmann — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 11:37:39 +0100

It is often necessary to combine materials and make use of them in a functional way. This can be achieved by using a methodology corresponding to the requirements, integrating the material properties into the early phase of the design process. New possibilities can be found by interconnecting the constructional components material, design and technology. Procedures to integrated materials are presented in this article and the necessity to motivate the faculties material, design and technology to work together interdisciplinarily to create innovative products is shown.

Life Cycle and Unit Cost Analysis for Modular Re-Configurable Flexible Light Assembly Systems

Juhani Heilala — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 11:15:16 +0100

This article presents a methodology for the design of a modular semi-automated reconfigurable assembly system using component-based simulation and life cycle cost analysis. To ensure that an assembly system is appropriately designed, system measurement schemes should be established for determining and understanding design effectiveness. Measurements can be classed into two categories: cost and performance. Understanding manufacturing costs is the first step towards increasing profits. The authors are developing an analysis tool that integrates Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE), Cost of Ownership (COO), and other analysis methods to improve the design of flexible, modular reconfigurable assembly systems. The development is based on selected industrial standards and the authors’ own experience in modular assembly system design and simulation. The developed TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) methodology is useful in system supplier and end-user communication, helps in trade-off analysis of the system concepts and improves the system specification.