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Interdisciplinary Communication Medium (ICM)

Multidisciplinary Concurrent Engineering Through Shared Graphics

fruchter@cive.stanford.edu

Abstract. The objective of this project is to develop a computer environment which will improve the communication among designers in an interdisciplinary team. We present a Propose-Interpret-Critique-Explain (PICE) paradigm as the communication cycle for collaborative conceptual design. We explore and test the PICE conceptualization by modeling it with a software prototype, ICM , that integrates graphic representations of a shared 3D model of and AI reasoning tools about, the evolving design. ICM provides a graphic environment as the central interface to reasoning tools, to support design. The graphic environment enables designers to explore the toplevel functional object definition of the future device , as well as the AutoCAD form model of the device. The goal of the ICM prototype is to help improve the quality of design by supporting: (1) improved concurrent engineering, (2) increased number of explored alternatives, (3) multi-criteria evaluation, (4) reduced product design cycle, (5) capture of design intent, (6) smooth electronic transition to later stages of product development.

This document is currently under construction.

Outline

Initial Conclusions
Problem Statement
Research Description
System Integration and Interoperability Architecture
ICM Prototype
Benefits
Testing, Tech Transfer, Next Steps
Expected Contributions
Continuing Research Goals
Project Staff
To read on-line ICM paper in postscript gostviewer click on Relevant Publication

Initial Conclusions

Integration and Interoperability are Necessary and Now Possible!

Sharing of a 3D Model of the Artifact and Exchanging Non-Graphic Information
Graphic Modeling of Form, Function, Behavior
Symbolic Modeling of Form, Function, Behavior
Design Theory: Propose-Interpret-Critique-Explain Communication Cycle
Technical Integration: CAx --> CAx --> ... --> CAx

Problem Statement

Traditionally, there has been much difficulty in communicating

design intents,
decisions, and
problems across disciplines.

Consequently the quality of designs is decreased by:

Tasks such as identifying,interpreting, extracting and re-entering relevant information from different discipline perspectives are ERROR-PRONE and TIME CONSUMING.

CONFLICTS are not noticed or resolved early enough in the design process.

Research Description

Goal:

Improve early real-time cross-disciplinary communication of multi-criteria design intents, decisions, and probles.

Scope:

Collaborative Concurrent Conceptual Design

Objective:

Provide support for dynamic changes and multidisciplinary information needs in mechatronic design.

Research Tasks:

Fromalize a collaborative conceptual design methodology
Implement the formalized methodology as a software prototype
Test the prototype

Models in the Graphic and Symbolic World

Throughout the design process, designers use Form, Function and Behavior models in both the graphic and the symbolic world. The graphic world plays a central role in exploring, editing, documenting, and explaining design intents. The symbolic world plays a central role in reasoning and evaluating the design. One of the main objectives of this research is to explore the link between these two worlds in the mechatronic domain. Publication

PICE - Design Communication Cycle

Throughout the design process, designers

Propose design alternatives
Iinterpret proposals into discipline models,
Critique discipline models,
Eexplain critique results.

Linking Graphic and Symbolic Models in the PICE Communication Cycle
Propose. Designers propose solutions for a mechatronic device using a shared 3D graphic model.
Interpret. The interpretation activity results in the identification of relevant features of the shared 3D graphic model within a specific discipline context. The interpretation is represented by semantic annotation of the CAD graphic entities with their meaning within the selected discipline context.
Critique. The critique activity uses knowledge-based analysis and evaluation of a symbolic discipline model to derive the behavior and to compare the behavior to functional requirements.
Explain. The explanation capability is currently being implemented. It represents a symbolic trace of the performance problems and suggestions for design modifications, as well as the visualization of the problems projected back onto the graphic model.

Illustrative Example
In order to illustrate the potential use of the proof-of-concept prototype we use as a test case an example selected from 1992/1993 ME210 projects. This is the Automobile Door Cinching project sponsored by GM. Many different systems interact within the limited space inside the car doorframe. With limited space available, the challenge of adding another subsystem to the door quickly becomes a packaging problem.

The goal of this project was to design and build a door latch system that combines the functions of latch, power lock and cinching into a single assembly. The proposed solution is shown by the schematic subsystem interaction of the automobile door cinching system.

ICM System Integration and Interoperability Architecture
The Interdisciplinary Communication Medium (ICM) tighly integrates graphic representation and AI reasoning about the evolving design.
Graphic CAD systems provide a form modeler and a visualization tool for proposing and modiying a design. Knowledge-based systems provide symbolic environments for reasoning about the function and behavior of the design.

ICM Prototype
ICM uses a central, shared 3D graphic model which is connected to multiple symbolic models that provide automated reasoning about the design from multiple discipline contexts. The connections between the graphic model and the symbolic models are modular, allowing symbolic context models to be added or removed independently of other models.
ICM uses AutoCAD to store the central graphic model. Within AutoCAD we have used AutoLisp, DCL and ADS C functions to build the interpretation capabilities. The symbolic models have been developed in Prokappa, which is an object-oriented knowledge engineering environment.

Exploring the Cinch Device with ICM

Toplevel Module for Functional Object Definition

Problem Statement
Designers need:

To design at various levels of abstraction without being forced to bring their design to a formal level at an early stage.
To communicate their ideas about functionality to other designers.

Functional subsystems considered in the Cinch project
Vision Statement: "To develop a modeling environment where functional objects and functional links would allow the designer to use one tool from the pre-formal design stage to the fully developed design stage."
Research Objectives:

Formalize the functional object and functional link model.
Allow knowledge-bases to interoperate by exchanging knowledge about functionality.
Natural expression of functionality in a manner that mimics the real world without imposing formal constraints.

Research Questions:

How to use functional objects to model the design?
How to integrate graphic representation with a functional object representation?
What reasoning capabilities should be encapsulated in links?
How to set up inter-functional object communication?

Design Cycle Using Toplevel
AutoCAD Toplevel Functional Object Definition
Click on the drawing to view it full size
AutoCAD Cinch Model
Click on the drawing to view it full size

Drive Train KB

Problem Statement: Drive train design today includes many quantitative and qualitative approaches that are often distributed among many differentexperts and manuals. A non-expert designer needds a better way to quickly design and evaluate a drive train that will meet the requirements of the customer. A Drive Train KB can assist in this design process.
Goals for Drive Train KB Module

The KB should allow a designer to confidently select appropriate drive train elements given a set of constraints.
The KB should allow a designer to identify constraints dictated by geometry, material on hand, spatial requirements, performance criteria, etc.

Motor KB

Problem Statement

Too many motors with too many different characteristics
Not enough knowledge for operation of the motor
Need for computer-based component libraries
Need for friendly interface to users

Goals for Motor KB:

Assist designer in selecting a motor
Offer additional information, such as, motor characteristics, evaluation of selection, suggestions
Design a friendly UI

Motor KB-Centered Overview Note, that such KB-centered overviews apply to all the KB modules.

Circuit Designer

Problem Statement: The preliminary design stage is characterized by incomplete information and qualitative solutions.
Research Question: Can a circuit analysis tool provide useful suggestions during the preliminary design stage
Motivation:

Need to accommodate incomplete and qualitative information in analysis
Incompatibility between output formats and designer's interests
Difficulty to assign multiple functions to circuit elements
Promote experimentation

Implementation

Modeling

AutoCAD used for rapid circuit construction and semantic annotation
ICM interface used to generate context interpretations
Symbolic modeling, critique, and suggestions

KB Domain

AutoCAD Electrical Circuit of the Cinch Switch Model
Click on the drawing to view it full size

Benefits

Improve quality of design

Improve concurrent engineering
Increase number of explored alternatives
Support multi-criteria evaluation of design
Reduce product design cycles
Capture design intent
Smooth electronic transition to later stages of product development

Plans for Initial Testing, Tech Transfer, Next Steps

Testing

Demo feedback from Cinch project team members
ICM sheell testing with ME210 teams
PICE cycle testing with one ME210 team

Tech Transfer

SIMA project liaison and other industry affiliates
Workshops on Concurrent Multi-disciplinary Engingeering

Summer Workshop for SIMA Affiliates, sponsored by SIMA, July 14-15, 1994
Hughes Workshop, sponsored by Hughes Aerospace, November 10-11, 1994

Expected Contributions

We elaborate and formalize a theory of interdisciplinary communication as a Propose-Interpret-Critique-Explain cycle.
We tightly integrate graphic and symbolic modeling.
The research includes technical integration:

Open system integration architecture that allows addition or removal of different reasoning modules as needed.
Central graphic modeling environment that enables sharing of 3D graphic model of the product.
Semantic modeling and exchange of non-graphic information that supports interoperability.

Continuing Research Goals

Test the generality of the modeling capabilities of the ICM shell by re-using it within the mechatronic system design domain
Define mechanism for re-use of engineering knowledge
Associate textual suggestions with graphic model
Implement a more robust software environment
...

Staff

Larry Leifer- Principal Invetigator

Renate Fruchter - Research Associate

George Toye - Research Associate
Mark Clayton - Ph.D. Candidate, CE Department

Madhu Prasad - Master Student, ME Department

Kurt Reiner - Ph.D. Candidate, ME Department
Omar Tawakol - Master Student, ME Department

Mark Tsai - Post-Master Student, AA Department

Renate Fruchter