ATTRIBUTE-BASED DESIGN DESCRIPTION SYSTEM IN DESIGN FOR MANUFACTURABILITY AND ASSEMBLY

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Paluri, Srinivas | Gershenson, John K.

Affiliations: Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA | Department of Mechanical Engineering Engineering Mechanics Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI, 49931

Abstract: Present computer-aided design (CAD) systems, intentionally developed as detail oriented designing tools, do not fully support the activities at the early stage of product development. CAD systems, which require a detailed level of design, prohibit the creative and free expression of a design idea. The solution to the limitations of present CAD systems is to fully utilize the graphical ability of current computer systems to represent a design with an easily understood design description in the conceptual design stage. We have developed a computerized product development tool to support designing activities in the conceptual design phase. The attribute-based design description system (ADDS) is a feature-based system that incorporates life-cycle engineering analysis and solid modeling to form an integrated CAD system. It provides a simple design representation interface and assembly modeling, evaluates the design for life-cycle engineering issues, and exports the design to AutoCAD as a solid model with flexible information input requirements. The research thus provides a starting point to the development of CAD systems that support productivity in the conceptual design stage. ADDS has been validated by describing three different design examples of power transmission systems in ADDS and exporting them to AutoCAD. This paper examines the benefits of applying a specification driven approach and presents a framework for environments that can support the related design activities. The Design Analysis and Simulation Environment (DASE) based upon this framework has been successfully implemented through a joint initiative between Bell Canada and McGill University.

Journal: Journal of Integrated Design & Process Science, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 83-94, 2001