Design Process Automation Support Through Knowledge Base .
Proceedings of the World Congress on Engineering 2013 Vol II,WCE 2013, July 3 - 5, 2013, London, U.K.Design Process Automation Support throughKnowledge Base EngineeringVarun Tiwari, Prashant K. Jain, and Puneet Tandon, Member, IAENG Abstract—This paper shows the methodology of developing anapplication of Knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) toautomate the task of repetitive designs, while reusing andmodifying the existing designs in a Computer Aided Design(CAD) environment. The presented work describes theprocedure for developing KBE tools for standard parametricmechanical /engineering parts and assemblies. With theproposed methodology and the developed KBE tool, it ispossible to achieve direct interaction between the user and thegeometric model so as to simplify the design process so as toavoid redesign and remodeling of the product. The proposedmethodology was implemented through Knowledge Fusion(KF), a Siemens NX module.Index Terms—Computer Aided Design, KBE, KnowledgeFusion, ParametricI. INTRODUCTIONHE main purpose of the ‘Design’ is to create thingswhich will satisfy certain requirements of a user in aninnovative way. Designer spends most of their time inunderstanding the existing designs and dealing with thechallenges associated with the modifications andimprovements in the designs. Lots of engineering man hoursis consumed doing repetitive tasks of remodeling theexisting designs. Knowledge Base Engineering (KBE)allows automation of repetitive design tasks while capturing,retaining and re-using the design knowledge [1]. KBE is asystem or process which collects stores and organizes thisknowledge and makes it available in the reusable form byproviding computational support to the design process.The need of KBE arouse due to problems in currentknowledge structure, which is disorganized. Existingdatabases, designs, thumb rules, etc. are not maintained inorder, which makes the reusability difficult. Currentknowledge structure is not secure also, as the databases thatare not prepared centrally are susceptible to changes byother designers and loose reliability. Capturing knowledge isessential, but capturing the knowledge that is not necessarywould lead to confusion and decrease effective reusability.TManuscript received March 07, 2013; revised April 02, 2013.Varun Tiwari is a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering Discipline atPDPM Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design 10365@iiitdmj.ac.in).Prashant K. Jain is an Associate Professor in Mechanical EngineeringDiscipline at PDPM IIITDM Jabalpur, India (e-mail: pkjain@iiitdmj.ac.in).Puneet Tandon is a Professor in Mechanical Engineering Discipline &Design Discipline at PDPM IIITDM Jabalpur, India (phone: 919425324240; fax: 91-761-2632924; e-mail: ptandon@iiitdmj.ac.in).ISBN: 978-988-19252-8-2ISSN: 2078-0958 (Print); ISSN: 2078-0966 (Online)KBE systems solve all the problems which are indicatedabove. KBE allows designers to devote more time and effortin creative and innovative work and makes design processsimpler. KBE system works where traditional ComputerAided Design (CAD) system fails because KBE systems askthe question “why does this need to be done?” not just“What needs to be done?” KBE system automaticallyextracts necessary knowledge from every stage of designcycle, and makes this knowledge available for remainingdesign cycles. KBE system allows capturing andorganization of knowledge in an efficient manner. KBEsystem helps to capture rationale and intent behind thedesign. It also helps to identify whether design constraint isviolated or not. With the application of KBE, it is possibleto analyze the possibility of manufacturing any part,knowing whether design is optimal or there are otheralternative solutions available [2]-[4].KBE helps to increase the efficiency of designer’s workby enhancing the level of automation in the design process[5]. Fabio et al. [2] proposed methodology which definesdirect interaction between the designer and the CAD modelfor the design automation of automotive painting defectsinspection tunnel using Siemens NX Knowledge fusion (KF)software. Tong et al. [6] had presented a novel dynamicmodeling wizard for 3D standard part library. Hou et al. [7]proposed knowledge-based rapid response design system forthe key parts and components of machine tool based on theUniGraphics and Teamcenter Engineering software. Ma etal. [8] presents a methodology of associating either the partsthat are not defined geometrically or geometrical entities thatdefine the part interfaces. The association is doneautomatically as well as through generic user interface andare both geometric and non-geometric in nature.The objective of the present work is to developmethodology for automatically generating parametricassembly model which not only support rapid geometrycreation but also facilitates its design and analysis. Thispaper describes the procedure for developing KBE tools in aCAD environment. In the present work, the associationsbetween various parts for a parametric assembly model aredeveloped. A user interface is provided to facilitate theinputs and the developed KBE tool generates the responseparameters through design evaluation using failure criteria.The final output is an optimized design of a mechanicalassembly in the form of a CAD model. The proposedmethodology is implemented using object oriented moduleknown as Knowledge Fusion (KF) of Siemens NX for thestandard mechanical assemblies.WCE 2013
Proceedings of the World Congress on Engineering 2013 Vol II,WCE 2013, July 3 - 5, 2013, London, U.K.II. KNOWLEDGE BASE TOOLTraditionally, KBE systems are used to automate creationof geometry using set of thumb rules and expressions. Fordeveloping KBE tools the relevant knowledge is identified,followed by acquisition of knowledge and its codification.To reduce the time and efforts required for repetitivemodeling, the KBE system should have the followingfunctions: Ability to store all kinds of knowledge effectively Capability to search efficiently Convenience to maintain and manage knowledge [7]Besides, it is developed as reusable, generic, andgenerative. The resulting product models based on the KBEsystem would include all product, process and functionalknowledge [9]. The procedure adopted to develop KBEtools is shown in Fig.1.Knowledge as indesigners,customers, stakeholders Knowledge as inproducts, rules,catalogues,previous andexistingdesigns associative expressions, design evaluation constraints(identification of knowledge) Manage these constraints, expressions and rules in theform of database or spreadsheet (knowledge management) Access this knowledge, expressions and evaluationcriteria through program and user interface generation(knowledge acquisition and codification)Further, in the present work the mechanical assembliesare designed based on either form or function. User interfaceis developed which contains two types of design methods i.e.based on (a) load and (b) diameter. In the first approach, theuser feeds the load that the joint is supposed to bear andselect the desired material. Then the program calculatesdiameter of the rod taking care of all possible failurepossibilities and generates parametric assembly model of theproduct in a CAD environment. In the second approach, theuser is supposed to input the desired diameter of the rod forwhich the knuckle joint is to be designed. The user is alsosupposed select the material of the joint. The KBEapplication then evaluates the load which the joint can bear.In both the approaches, the CAD model of the assembly isgenerated and the output parameters are displayed in theuser interface.Model AFunctions, expressionsConstraints.Identification of knowledge that is relevant and use tothe process or partJustification and capture relevant knowledge filteredthrough above stages and structure this knowledgeProgram& userinterfaceModel BFunctions, expressionsConstraints.Associative expressionsDatabaseAssembly modelDesign evaluationsAcquisition and Management of KnowledgeParametric assembly modelCodification of Knowledge using programs;Generation of User InterfacesFig.2. Proposed MethodologyIV. DEVELOPED WORKPutting KBE system into practiceFig.1. Generic procedure to develop KBE systemIII. PROPOSED METHODOLOGYThe methodology for developing automation applicationsused by industry often differs depending on the company’stasks to be automated. The proposed methodology involvesfollowing steps (Fig.2): Identify parts and products functions and behaviors Convert these functions and behaviors in terms of rules,ISBN: 978-988-19252-8-2ISSN: 2078-0958 (Print); ISSN: 2078-0966 (Online)A. Parametric modeling of partsThere are two types of modeling strategies, directmodeling and parametric modeling. The direct modelingquickly defines and captures only part geometry. Designerscreate geometry in direct modeling rather than buildingconstraints, design rules and design intent into their models.In parametric modeling, user anticipates and definesexpressions, constraints and associativity, ensuring that anychanges in design will necessitate changes in all the relatedgeometries. Direct modeling is suitable for all the designswhere speed and flexibility is needed whereas parametricmodeling is used where designer is required to meet certaindesign constraints, thumb rules and some manufacturingWCE 2013
Proceedings of the World Congress on Engineering 2013 Vol II,WCE 2013, July 3 - 5, 2013, London, U.K.criteria [10]. The present work uses parametric modelingstrategy. To create parametric model, product or partsfunctions in terms of geometric parameters are identified andrelations between them are established. These relations areconverted in the form of expressions, rules and constraints.Thereafter these parameters, relations and constraints areoptimized and then it is checked whether designed model isvalid and fulfills all functions correctly for which it isdesigned [11].The implementation of the procedure for developingparametric assembly is done by taking example of knucklejoint. Knuckle joint is used to connect two rods under tensileload. The first step in creation of parametric assembly is tomodel all the parts in CAD environment. Major componentsof knuckle joint are shown in Fig.3 along with assembly. Allthe parts are parametrically modeled using expressions.Dimensions of all the parts are defined in terms of diameterof rod. Considering all possible modes of failure of knucklejoints i.e. tensile failure of rods, shear failure of pin,crushing failure of pin and bending failure of pin, safediameter of rod is determined. Expressions are used to createlink between parameters of individual parts. Interpartexpressions are used to create expressions among differentcomponents of assembly, so that changes in one componentof assembly will reflect changes in all the other parts ofassembly which are linked to it.user interface which is generated in User Interface Styler.Graphical user interface is the most convenient and preferredway to create human-machine interface. Siemens NX allowsits user to create GUI with .dlg extension for anyapplication. It allows the users to create dialog boxes whichcan be linked to any KF application. GUI of knuckle jointassembly is shown in Fig.4 along with input for program andresource editor of user interface styler used to create dialogbox.TABLE IMATERIAL PROPERTIES FOR KNUCKLE JOINTMaterial30C840C845C8C20C30C25FG 300FG 35030C840C845C8C20C30C25FG 300Strength D. Linking code, user interface, database to CAD modelB. Creation of assembly databaseAfter developing CAD model by identifying featureIn this work, the database of a material and strength constraints, rules and expressions along with database andinformation is prepared in Microsoft Access. Database is user interface, it is necessary to define a link between them.prepared centrally and saved in a secured folder so as to In this work only one CAD system is used whether foravoid accidental and unnecessary modifications by the user. modeling, code generation and GUI creation. The requiredDatabase consists of Data Source Name (DSN), different steps for linking database, code and user interface to CADmaterials, values of strength for each material, queries, and assembly model are as follows:data types of parameters as shown in Table I. The KF 1. Microsoft Access database is linked through the openprogram is prepared to link database to user interface stylerdatabase connectivity (ODBC). It provide standardand assembly. It contains data source name, queries, Openinterface to connect KF applications to many data sources.Data Base Connectivity (ODBC) functions, variables andKF application connects database by executing SQLdata types. The driven parameter table created in thestatements using standard library of functions. NXdatabase must be similar to the CAD model featureconnects KF program to database through functionsnamely ug odbc database and fetches record of databaseparameters. It should be consistent with the CAD modelingthrough function ug odbc recordset.methods [6]. For example, if hole feature is modeled byextruding a circle and then applying Boolean operation 2. Database is linked to KF application and CAD modelthrough following steps (Fig.5.)subtract, the corresponding driven parameter should be the3.Code is written in notepad with .dfa extension and isdiameter of that circle and depth of extrusion. Similarly, iflinked to CAD model and GUI through DFA managerhole is created by direct command then driven parametersthat is available in KF module of NX (Fig.6).are diameter of hole and depth of hole. While defining4.Afterlinking code and database, GUI is called through theparameters care must be taken that the same parametersKFtoolbarand the user input load constraint and othernames should also be present in the program of knuckle jointinput parameters. Program calculates all the outputassembly otherwise undesired model results when theparameters by checking against all failure criteria andprogram is called.generate CAD model of knuckle joint assembly in CADenvironment (Fig.7).C. Code Generation and user interfaceKBE framework of knuckle joint assembly is shown inAfter modeling and database creation, the next step is to Fig.8.convert all the expressions into programming code. In thiswork, KF program for knuckle joint assembly is developedin notepad. It includes all the parameters of part modelswhich are linked by interpart expression. It also includesdatabase linking functions and inputs required for graphicalISBN: 978-988-19252-8-2ISSN: 2078-0958 (Print); ISSN: 2078-0966 (Online)WCE 2013
Proceedings of the World Congress on Engineering 2013 Vol II,WCE 2013, July 3 - 5, 2013, London, U.K.(a)(b)(d)(e)(c)(f)Fig.3. Components of Knuckle Joint Assembly (a) Double Eye End (b) Single Eye End (c) Collar (d) Knuckle Pin (e) Pin (f) Knuckle Joint AssemblyFig.4. GUI of knuckle joint assemblyISBN: 978-988-19252-8-2ISSN: 2078-0958 (Print); ISSN: 2078-0966 (Online)WCE 2013
Proceedings of the World Congress on Engineering 2013 Vol II,WCE 2013, July 3 - 5, 2013, London, U.K.Fig.5. Linking of database to KF application and CAD modelFig.6. KF program linked through DFA manager to CADmodelFig.7. Output parameters by checking all failure criteriaISBN: 978-988-19252-8-2ISSN: 2078-0958 (Print); ISSN: 2078-0966 (Online)WCE 2013
Proceedings of the World Congress on Engineering 2013 Vol II,WCE 2013, July 3 - 5, 2013, London, U.K.Database(.mdb file)NX(InterpartExpression)User interfacestylerKnowledgefusionGUI.dlg fileKF program.dfa fileAssemblymodelCustomizedAssemblymodelFig.8. Knowledge base system of knuckle joint assemblyV. CONCLUSIONThis paper presents an automated approach to developknowledge base parametric assembly in CAD environmentso as to avoid repetitive work of remodelling and eliminateredesign of an engineering product. The purpose is toimprove the design efficiency. The present work providesgraphical user interface for safe design of knuckle jointassembly so that novice user can use the proposed 3D CADtool easily. The present work provides “engineer it”approach to the designer. User predicts and defines relations,ISBN: 978-988-19252-8-2ISSN: 2078-0958 (Print); ISSN: 2078-0966 (Online)expressions and feature constraints in such a way that anydesign change would automatically update the necessarymodifications in all related geometries in predefined manner.This approach is suitable where the engineer is given strictcriteria to meet certain design and company specificconstraints. Every modeling strategy has its own advantagesand requirements. Industries are adopting both direct andparametric modeling in order to achieve the creativity,quality and innovation to stay ahead in competition.REFERENCES[1]W.J.C. Verhagen, P. Bermell-Garcia, R.E.C. van Dijk and R. Curran,“A critical review of Knowledge-Based Engineering: Anidentification of research challenges,” Advanced EngineeringInformatics, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 5–15, Jan. 2012.[2] B. Z. Fabio A., R.V. Alejandro and T. M. Josep, “Application of NXKnowledge Fusion module for the Design Automation of anAutomotive Painting Defects Inspection Tunnel,” Computer-AidedDesign & Applications, vol. 9, no. 5, pp. 655-664, 2012.[3] Siemens:http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/es es/products/nx/prog custom/kbp.shtml,Siemens NX helps, 2010.[4] H.L. Yang, F. Deng, “Knowledge fusion based product visualcustomization technology,” in 2nd International Conference onComputer Engineering and Technology, pp. 556–560, 2010[5] G.L. Rocca, “Knowledge based engineering: Between AI and CAD.Review of a language based technology to support engineering designAdvanced Engineering Informatics., vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 159–179,April. 2012.[6] X. Tong, D. Wang and H. Wang, “Research and Realization ofStandard Part Library for 3D Parametric and Autonomic Modeling”,Global Design to Gain a Competitive Edge, vol. 2, no. 5, pp. 293301, 2008.[7] S. Hou, Y. Liu, L. He, W. Zhao and W. Wang, “Research onknowledge-based engineering system for rapid response design ofmachine tool”, in Control and Decision Conference (CCDC),Chinese, pp. 4310 – 4314, 2010.[8] Y.S. Ma, G. A. Britton, S. B. Tor and L. Y. Jin, “Associativeassembly design features: concept, implementation and application”,The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology,vol. 32, no. 5-6, pp. 434–444, Mar. 2007.[9] C. van der Velden, C. Bil and X. Xu, “Adaptable methodology forautomation application development”, Advanced EngineeringInformatics, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 231–250, April. 2012.[10] PTC h,2013[11] G. Lee, R. Sacks, and C. M. Eastman, “Specifying ParametricBuilding Object Behavior (BOB) for a Building InformationModeling System”, Automation in Construction, vol. 15, no.6, pp.758–776, Nov. 2006.WCE 2013
(KF), a Siemens NX module. . A.Putting KBE system into practice Parametric modeling of parts There are two types of modeling strategies, direct modeling and parametric modeling. The direct modeling quickly defines and captures only part geometry. Design
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