A Generalization of Computational Synthesis Methods in Engineering Design (original) (raw)
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A framework for computational design synthesis: Model and applications
2005
The field of computational design synthesis has been an active area of research for almost half a century. Research advances in this field have increased the sophistication and complexity of the designs that can be synthesized, and advances in the speed and power of computers have increased the efficiency with which those designs can be generated. Some of the results of this research have begun to be used in industrial practice, yet many open issues and research challenges remain. This paper provides a model of the automated synthesis process as a context to discuss research in the area. The varied works of the authors are discussed as representative of the breadth of methods and results that exist under the field of computational design synthesis. Furthermore, some guidelines are presented to help researchers and designers find approaches to solving their particular design problems using computational design synthesis.
Structuring and modeling routine design problems for computational synthesis development
Computational synthesis allows the automatic generation of solutions to design problems. When implemented, design time can be shortened as the user is presented with multiple design solutions. However, the act of initializing synthesis processes has not received much attention in literature. Therefore, we propose structuring and modeling the design problem to aid such a process. Structuring is done by developing problem formulations in terms of initial states, goal statements, constrained states and constraint parameters. Later, the information content is classified and modeled following known mathematic frameworks. Results indicate this formulation can be used to categorize different design problems, which in turn, permits generalizing solution generation strategies to problem families rather than to specific cases.
Form-Function Synthesis in Engineering Design
1992
In this paper, we present an overview of research on form/function synthesis for physical artifacts. This paper summarizes a lengthier technical report that characterizes the computational models underlying selected Engineering Design Research Center (EDRC) projects (Flemming et al., 1992a). This paper reviews how this problem is perceived in selected engineering disciplines, including architectural design, and classifies these models by their strategies and attempts to link these strategies to appropriate types of design problems 1 .
From How Much to How Many: a Method to Develop Representations for Computational Synthesis
This paper presents from how much to how many as a method to parameterize artifactual routine design problems for computational synthesis. The goal is to develop representations with low levels of complexity to ease the initialization of a computational synthesis process. To achieve this, complexity management guidelines from axiomatic design theory are used. The case study of Cooling for Injection Molding (CIM) is used to demonstrate the application of the method. The resulting representations are used to develop a Computational Synthesis System of CIM design. Generated design solutions indicate the method is successful for developing representations for CS, and in this way, initializing such processes.
2010
ABSTRACT The field of computational design synthesis has been an active area of research for almost half a century. Research advances in this field have increased the sophistication and complexity of the designs that can be synthesized, and advances in the speed and power of computers have increased the efficiency with which those designs can be generated. Some of the results of this research have begun to be used in industrial practice, yet many open issues and research challenges remain. This paper provides a model of the automated synthesis process as a context to discuss research in the area. The varied works of the authors are discussed as representative of the breadth of methods and results that exist under the field of computational design synthesis. Furthermore, some guidelines are presented to help researchers and designers find approaches to solving their particular design problems using computational design synthesis.
On the complexity of the design synthesis problem
IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics - Part A: Systems and Humans, 1996
In this paper we present and analyze a formal model of a design process, emphasizing the synthesis part. The design artifact description is identified as an algebraic structure. The desired function and constraints are mapped to the artifact description using an evolutionary process that can be visualized as a feedback loop of analysis, synthesis and evaluation. A special case of the synthesis activity, called the Basic Synthesis Problem (BSP), is addressed. The BSP is shown to be NP-Complete. As a consequence, tractability can be obtained by enforcing constraints on the artifact structure. As such, we present a model having an element of descriptive design theory that is also a framework for the future development of computational support systems and automatic design tools.
A case study on synthesis in preliminary design
Computers & chemical engineering, 1997
In preliminary design, the space of design alternatives can be large. Automated synthesis tools may be used interactively to explore the design space, starting with a broad but coarse search and gradually progressing to more focussed and detailed searches. Recent developments in the search procedure used by the cHiPs process synthesis package enable the generation of partial solutions, solutions which although not feasible can be useful in the analysis of the synthesis problem. This enables one to use the tool as a device for exploration and experimentation. Furthermore, it provides a framework upon which the synthesis procedure can be expanded to provide automatic techniques for identifying suitable recycle structures. This paper briefly describes the approach for generating partial solutions. It demonstrates the use of the resulting tool in preliminary design through the presentation of a case study for the design of a Hydrofluoric acid plant, showing how the synthesis tool can be applied iteratively. The result is a process flowsheet suitable for more rigorous study. S53 $54 PSE '97-ESCAPE-7 Joint Conference m. ,,,.. ~ • m,...,-. ~,._(? t]jmm J glm H --m ol.bm ] J t * ,m
Computational Design Synthesis: Embedding Material Behaviour in Generative Computational Processes
2011
This paper presents strategies for the design of bending-active structures through the introduction of modern computational design methods, exploring their architectural potential through contemporary means of design, engineering and robotic manufacturing. As a case study the ICD/ITKE research pavilion’s information modeling process is depicted: how form-finding experiments guided the development of various models that synthesize data for design, simulation, analysis and fabrication. The paper explains the integration of relevant material information into generative computational design processes and concludes by comparing the resultant data models with a scan of the built prototype.
Computational synthesis of multi-domain systems
2003
Several challenging issues have to be addressed for automated synthesis of multi-domain systems. First, design of interdisciplinary (multi-domain) engineering systems, such as mechatronic systems, differs from design of single-domain systems, such as electronic circuits, mechanisms, and fluid power systems, in part because of the need to integrate the several distinct domain characteristics in predicting system behavior. Second, a mechanism is needed to automatically select useful elements from the building block repertoire, construct them into a system, evaluate the system and then reconfigure the system structure to achieve better performance. Dynamic system models based on diverse branches of engineering science can be expressed using the notation of bond graphs, based on energy and information flow. One may construct models of electrical, mechanical, magnetic, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal, and other systems using only a rather small set of ideal elements as building blocks. Another useful tool, genetic programming, is a powerful method for creating and evolving novel design structures in an open-ended manner. Through definition of a set of constructor functions, a genotype tree is created for each individual in each generation. The process of evaluating the genotype tree maps the genotype into a phenotype-i.e., to the abstract topological description of the design of a multi-domain system, using a bond graph along with parameters for each component, if needed. Finally, physical realization is carried out to relate each abstract element of the bond graph to corresponding components in various physical domains. To implement the above GPBG approach in a specific application domain, cautious steps have to be taken to make the evolved design represented by bond graphs realizable and manufacturable. To achieve this, one important step is to define appropriate building blocks of the design space and carefully design a realizable function set in genetic programming. We are going to illustrate this in an example of behavioral synthesis of a RF MEM circuit-a micro-mechanical band pass filter design. Finally, we have some discussions on how to extend the above approach to an integrated evolutionary synthesis environment for MEMS across a variety of design layers.
A practical generative design method
A practical method of exploring design possibilities on top of CAD systems is proposed. It is suitable for complex unquantifiable multi-criteria design problems where designers need to explore design alternatives within vast design spaces. Designs are generated by creating a genotype model within the CAD system and varying its parameters randomly within pre-set limits. These designs are then filtered through various constraint envelopes representing geometric viability, manufacturability, cost and other performance related constraints to ensure their viability. The genotype is based on successful designs embodying knowledge about the design problem and solutions to it. A distinguishing feature of this method is its ability to work seamlessly and harmoniously with current design practices from conceptual to detailed design. It is an interactive, designer driven method that is based firmly on the tenants of emergence. It makes minimal impositions on the designer's work practice and maintains both the flexibility and fluidly required for creative design exploration, especially at the conceptual stages of design. The design philosophy behind this generative method and the key steps involved in implementing it are presented here, with examples.