A KICAD Tool for Pro-active Exploration Support to Design Synthesis
for Multi-X
J.C.Borg, X.T.Yan & N.P.Juster
Paper presented and included in the proceedings of the 3rd Knowledge
Intensive CAD workshop being organized by IFIP WG 5.2 at Tokyo University,
Tokyo, 1-4 December 1998. Abstract
ABSTRACT
Designers are now expected to 'generate' life-oriented design solutions.
This transition to 'Design Synthesis For Multi-X' (DFmX) reflects and
increase in demands being put on designers. This paper reports on the development
and implementation of a KICAD tool aimed at pro-actively supporting designers
in foreseeing and exploring multiple life-cycle consequences co-evolving
during mechanical artefact design decision making. A phenomena model describing
'how' consequences are generated highlights the necessity of designers
engaging in concurrent synthesis. This understanding is exploited by a
'Knowledge of Consequences' approach to DFmX on which the KICAD implementation
is based. The paper includes an outline of the KICAD's knowledge model,
system requirements and architecture. The application of the prototype
named FORESEE to pro-actively supporting 'life-oriented' exploration is
demonstrated via a thermpoplastic component design scenario. An evaluation
of the prototype revealed strengths and limitations that highlight future
research challenges for developing KICAD tools aimed at supporting DFmX.
Design Decisions Consequences: Key to Design for Multi-X Support
J.C. Borg & X.T. Yan
Paper presented and included in the proceedings of 2nd International
Synposium Tools and Methods for Concurrent Engineering (TMCE '98) held
in Manchester (UK) 21-23 April 1998
Full abstract may be located and downloaded from
http://www.eng.um.edu.mt/~dme/dme_res.html
A Life-Cycle Consequences Model Approach to the Design for Multi-X
of Components
J Borg & K J MacCallum
Paper presented and included in the proceedings (Vol. 2, pp 647-652,
ISBN 951-722-7884) of the 11th International Conference on Engineering
Design (ICED) held in Tampere, Finland, 19-21 August 1997.
Full abstract may be located and downloaded from
http://www.eng.um.edu.mt/~dme/dme_res.html
A Computer Based Tool For The Design And Manufacture Of Automatic
Lathe Cams
J Borg; P.Bonello & C.Ciantar
International Journal, Computers In Industry, Vol. 34 (1997) p.p. 11-26
published by Elsevier Science B.V.
Full abstract may be located and downloaded from
http://www.eng.um.edu.mt/~dme/dme_res.html
Structuring Knowledge of Life-Cycle Consequences for Supporting Concurrent
Design Exploration
J Borg & K J MacCallum
Paper presented and included in the preceedings (Vol. 2, Chapman B.
Hall ISBN 0412 814501 p.p. 208-213) of Knowledge Intensive CAD (KIC II),
2nd IFIP WG5.2 Workshop,
Full abstract may be located and downloaded from
http://www.eng.um.edu.mt/~dme/dme_res.html
A HyperCAD Expert System For Plastic Product Design
J Borg & K J MacCallum
Paper presented at the 'International Conference on Computer Integrated
Manufacturing (ICCIM'95), 11-14th July 1995, Singapore.
Full abstract may be located and downloaded from
http://www.eng.um.edu.mt/~dme/dme_res.html
Ing.Jonathan C. Borg
Dept. of Manufacturing Engineering
University of Malta, MSD 06
MALTA
Tel: + 356 3290 2366
Fax: + 356 34 35 77