The application of a knowledge based engineering approach to the rapid design and analysis of an automotive structure

Knowledge management is one of the key enabling technologies of distributed engineering enterprises. It encompasses a wide range of organizational, management and technologically orientated approaches that promote the exploitation of an organizations' intellectual assets. Knowledge management approaches may be divided into personalization approaches that emphasize human resources and communication, and codification approaches that emphasize the collection and organization of knowledge. This distinction is used to explore the application of knowledge management in engineering design, after first outlining the engineering circumstances that have led to the current emphasis on the application. The paper then gives an overview of approaches to knowledge management through personalization, including human and organizational approaches, concentrating on the establishment of communities of practice. The role of information technology is explained both in terms of personalization (communication and team support t...

Knowledge management in engineering design: personalization and codification

This paper discusses the current limitations of Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools and reports on the use of knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) in the creation of a concept development tool, to organise information flow and as an architecture for the effective implementation of rapid design solutions The KBE tool along with supporting analytical solutions has been applied to the Body-In-White area of automotive design The present methods of using CAD and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) systems do not use a unified product/process model representation and lead to the creation of separate non-relation data models that only capture the result of the engineering process The KBE method unifies the engineering intent into a single model that allows for existing or novel design solutions to be assessed These design solutions can then represent themselves in the correct form to the analysis systems Automeshing is achieved using a rule-base that meshes the model with respect to the analysis solution required, materials and processes

Design engineering—a need to rethink the solution using knowledge based engineering

Flexible and robust CAD models for design automation

Pedestrian head translation, rotation and impact velocity: the influence of vehicle speed, pedestrian speed and pedestrian gait.

The adoption of knowledge-based systems (KBS) technology into engineering design presents a massive opportunity to companies in search of new ways to improve their product introduction process (PIP). However, past experience has shown that such promise has not been realized in the adoption of expert systems technology. The failure of the introduction of KBS technology under the banner of expert systems can frequently be attributed to the inappropriate selection of suitable applications. Despite these past experiences, history seems poised to repeat itself with the adoption of knowledge-based engineering (KBE) technology within the product development process. Therefore, the ability to identify ‘winner’ applications would be of considerable benefit. This paper outlines the consolidation of past experience relating to KBS development and outlines a method for the selection of suitable KBE design applications.

Selection of Knowledge-based Engineering Design Applications

This paper describes a study carried out to develop and apply Madymo models combining multibody and finite element components to simulate accidents between vehicles and pedestrians. The work is in ...

The simulation of pedestrian impact with a combined multibody finite elements system model

SUMMARY This paper discusses an approach to programming computers to expand their use within the design function, using artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. The design process is discussed, along with the type of problems encountered and the attributes required of the designer for the solution of such problems. AI programming techniques are introduced as an extension to the field of computer-aided design (CAD) and the case for automatic design is presented. The design process is considered in terms of the theoretical model which is used as a basis for programming automatic design systems. A simple demonstration of the approach is given in the form of the selection of a solution principle for a pump problem and the development of that solution into a functional unit by design rules. A central theme of the method is the iterative use of the model, illustrating the concept at all levels of design decision-making.

G. N. Blount

Papers

Selection of Knowledge-based Engineering Design Applications

The simulation of pedestrian impact with a combined multibody finite elements system model

Artificial Intelligence and Design Automation Systems