Object‐Oriented Approaches for Integrated Engineering Design Systems

Product configuration systems are an emerging technology that supports companies in deploying mass customization strategies. Such strategies need to cover the management of the whole customizable product cycle. Adding process modeling and configuration features to a product configurator may improve its ability to assist mass customization development. In this paper, we describe a modeling framework, PRODPROC, that allows one to model both a product and its production process. We first introduce our framework by describing how configurable products are modeled. Then, we describe the main features and capabilities offered to model production processes and to link them with the corresponding products models. The configuration task (namely, the procedure that, from a configurable object/activity generates a configured product/process) is then analyzed. We also outline a possible CSP-based implementation of a configurator. A comparison with some of the existing systems for product configuration and process modeling emphasizes that none of the considered system/tools offers the complete set of features supported by PRODPROC for interdependent product and process modeling/configuration.

Service-learning (SL) and community-engaged learning (CEL) are high-impact practices whose ideological foundations are built upon ideas pioneered by philosophers such as John Dewey and William James. Given that one methodology (CEL) directly branched from the other (SL), these practices are expected to have fundamental underpinnings that differentially influence how projects within these practices are carried out. Stufflebeam and Shinkfield’s Context, Input, Process, and Product (CIPP) model for evaluation was applied to assess these two high-impact practices. This narrative review has two goals: (1) discuss the usage of the CIPP model to evaluate established SL and CEL projects, and (2) assess any differences in evaluation garnered from CIPP model usage that may have stemmed from nuances in SL and CEL ideology. Literature covering either practice had shown, in some cases, to be inconsistent with how the implementation and guiding principles of such projects matched the terminology used by project organizers. This discrepancy has implications for how these projects are carried out and evaluated in the future.

In Memoriam: Dr. Clive L. Dym (1942–2016)

Development of a blended teaching quality evaluation scale (BTQES) for undergraduate nursing based on the Context, Input, Process and Product (CIPP) evaluation model: A cross-sectional survey

We present a case study that aims at quantitative assessment of the impact of requirements changes, and quantitative estimation of costs of the development activities that must be carried out to accomplish those changes. Our approach is based on enhanced traceability and an integrated view of the process and product models. The elements in the process and product models are quantitatively characterised through proper measurement, thus achieving a sound basis for different kinds of sophisticated analysis concerning the impact of requirements changes and their costs. We present the results of the application of modeling and measurement to an industrial project dealing with real-time software development. The ability to predict the impact of changes in requirements and the cost of related activities is shown.

Recently, a structural optimization design system linked with a FEM analysis system is going to be useful for a structural design, by a radical development of a computer environment. But, when structural engineers use this design system in practice, complicated operations are required to make an input-data. So this design system is not “a Practical Tool” for designers, we have to develop the structural optimization design system which is used easily for designers.Authors research the CIM for shipbuilding and develop a prototype CIM system. We call this system SODAS (System Of Design and Assembling for Shipbuilding). In the SODAS, designers can design a ship structure by design parameters and evaluate a designed structure by FEM directly.In this study, authors try to integrate a commercial structural optimization design system (GENESIS : which is developed in NASA) with the SODAS. We make relations clear between design parameters in the SODAS and design variables in the structural optimization design system. And we propose the method of system integration used by these relations. In the concrete, we develop the structural optimization design system based on the Product Model which supports designers powerfully by presenting optimal design-values.

In a shipbuilding CAD/CAM system a product model is successively built up during the design process, with geometric as well as nongeometric information. In parallel with the design process, the model is further extended with work preparation (in some countries called production engineering) information, e.g., definition of building strategy and definition of the assembly structure. Information needed for part fabrication can be derived from the model, such as drawings, parts lists and information for numerically controlled (NC) equipment. When work preparation definitions are combined with a product model, the information needed for assembly parts lists, assembly drawings, etc. can be derived from the product model instead of being created manually. Use of the product model concept, systems based upon it and procedures implementing it in an organization will allow a reduction of costs and an increase in productivity and competitiveness

This paper describes an on going research by the authors who are seeking methods to integrate an earlier developed manufacturing process modeling method in the virtual manufacturing (VM) technology. The primary aim is to attach special manufacturability evaluation to modeling of mechanical products. A more or less generic process model is generated for a cluster of manufacturing tasks then manufacturing process entities are created by evaluation of the manufacturing process model using part, form feature, production environment, production planning and cost information. Petri net manufacturing process model representation is used. It has proved to be a versatile virtual manufacturing tool in manufacturing process planning, evaluation of manufacturability and in manufacturing environment design. A process model evaluation procedure is emphasized in the course of which feasibility and resource requirements of the manufacturing are revealed. Firstly, techniques of evaluation of manufacturability, the applied approach to integration of shape and manufacturing process modeling and the related virtual manufacturing concepts are introduced. The process model is outlined and earlier relevant publications of the authors are cited. Then problems and solutions at evaluating of process model in close connection with design and environmental changes are detailed. Following this, integration of the method into a comprehensive virtual manufacturing concept is explained. Finally, main issues and future research plans are concluded.

The application of advanced geometric and technical models of mechanical products to the planning of manufacturing processes and CNC programs is one of the most widely investigated topics. Utilization of the flexibility of a flexible manufacturing system for fulfilling customer demands is impossible without flexible planning of manufacturing processes. This paper presents an approach to generic modeling of manufacturing processes and a method for creating Petri net representations of manufacturing process model entities. Manufacturing task features and process variants are taken into account. The Petri net process model is evaluated in the course of process planning and production scheduling. Process models are created on the basis of a form feature oriented part model and a workshop environment model. Petri net objects are created using knowledge on manufacturing process objects and process structure. The paper is organized as follows. First, the aims of the research are outlined and the characteristics of manufacturing process models of this type are summarized. Next, the principle of modeling, the structure of the process model and the process model entities are detailed. Following this, the generation procedure of the process model is presented. Finally, typical examples of manufacturing process model entities for a prismatic part machined in a flexible manufacturing system are shown.

The representation of many real-world scenarios in conceptual models benefits from the use of multilevel abstraction hierarchies. Product models, for example, are typically grouped into product categories which, in turn, constitute the company’s range of products. Multilevel abstraction hierarchies often reflect the organizational structure of a company and the different information needs of the various departments. Current modeling techniques, however, lack extensive support for the representation of multilevel abstraction hierarchies in business process models. The explicit consideration of multilevel abstraction hierarchies in business process models might improve the alignment of processes across different organizational entities. In this paper, we introduce the concept of the multilevel business artifact (MBA) for representing multilevel abstraction hierarchies of both data and process models. An MBA encapsulates in a single object the data and process models of various levels, thereby expanding consequently the idea of business artifacts to the realm of multilevel abstraction hierarchies.

Researchers and practitioners have attempted to solve problem of robot control by using of well-proved product models. Existing product modeling methods offer quasi integration because appropriate integrated robot process model is not available. The authors propose a modeling of the robot system that has the capability of integrated description of product, robot and robot process. Advanced concepts as feature and associativity definitions together with task oriented robot process gained an extended application in the proposed model. This paper presents the new modeling for integrated application of part, assembly and robot process models at robot assembly of mechanical products. The main purpose of this integration is product model driven definition of robot assembly trajectories. The main contribution is an attempt to define shapes and part positions for robot assembly by using of form features instead of geometric elements. Form feature model objects carry intent of engineers for technical content of modeled environment. The paper introduces actual issues of robot assembly and outlines the concept of the authors for product model driven modeling of robot assembly. Information for assembly in feature based product model and robot process model features are explained. Following this, an extended feature concept for modeling of robot system is discussed. Finally, integrated model of robot assembly system and role of form features in it are concluded.

Based on the analysis of product model characteristics of multidisciplinary collaborative design (MCD), multiple views model expressed by an extended object-oriented method is introduced to satisfy the requirements of different discipline designers for product information interaction and share. A product modeling system for multidisciplinary collaborative design is proposed, and the modeling method of discipline view model under the network environment is given, which can effectively support the evolution of product model and improve the flexibility of product modeling. The clutch is illustrated to validate the proposed methods.

This paper focuses on product modelling and a decision-support system for product design and manufacture within which product end-of-life (EOL) issues can be addressed and quantitatively evaluated. A framework method is developed to determine good design and manufacturing strategies enabling products to meet quality and functionality criteria with minimum environmental impact and life-cycle costs. The assessment of alternative scenarios involves the consideration of several qualitative and quantitative factors simultaneously, and therefore has to be handled by multi-attribute analysis techniques.

In the past, support for design has largely concentrated on specific design problems. The great challenge for many designers and design managers working on complex problems is to understand the connections between different aspects of design represented by different types of design models. Designs comprise connected components, and processes comprise linked tasks, but tasks are also connected to components. Each design project is embedded in the context of other projects. This paper discusses an on-going research project into design process improvement, which is centred on the use of process models and product models, designed to show important aspects of connectivity. These models are inevitably provisional due to the uncertain nature of design. The process model describes tasks and their linking parameters; the product model incorporates a probabilistic measure of the risk of change to one component spreading to others in terms of likelihood and impact. Planning and scheduling activities before the project begins can support the allocation of resources and indicate critical points in the process. Change prediction can aid change planning and decision making about possible design moves. Explicit models of connectivity enable designers to question each other’s assumptions and aid communication in design teams. However, the challenge lies in building sufficiently accurate models cost effectively.

Aggregate Product and Process Modelling for the Welding of Complex Fabrications