Abstract
This paper describes preliminary work toward the develoment of a framework and a system for modeling the “meta-physical” information of mechanical products. Meta-physical information is that information which describes the nature or reason for existence of objects in the physical product model. Such information includes product and feature functionality, design intent, relations, constraints and viewpoint-dependent definitions. This effort has resulted in an initial model structure and a prototype system. The product model consists of a meta-physical product model with attached physical product models containing, among other information, geometry, dimensions, tolerances, and features. The content and structure of the product model correspond directly to the information used and produced during the mechanical design process. The prototype system integrates a solid modeler, a feature modeler, a dimension and tolerance modeler, and a meta-physical modeler. This paper provides an overview of the meta-model structure, usage and potential.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chen, A.; McGinnis, B.; Ullman, D. G. (1990)Design History Knowledge Representation and Its Basic Implementation (Document No. DRPG90-2). Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.
Crawford, R.H.; Anderson, D.C. (1990) A Computer Representation for Modeling Feedback in Design Processes. InProceeding of the 1990 ASME International Computers in Engineering Conference and Exhibition, 1 (pp. 165–170).
Dixon, J.R.; Duffey, M.R.; Irani, R.K.; Meunier, K.L; Orelup, M.F. (1988) A Proposed Taxonomy of Mechanical Design Problems. InProceedings of the 1988 ASME International Computers in Engineering Conference and Exhibition, 1 (pp. 41–46).
Dixon, J.R.; Howe, A.; Cohen, P.R.; Simmons, M.K. (1986) DOMINIC I: Progress towards Domain Independence in Design By Iterative Redesign. InProceedings of the 1986 ASME International Computers in Engineering Conference and Exhibition, 1 (pp. 199–206).
Faux, I. (1986)Reconciliation of Design and Manufacturing Requirements for Product Description Data Using Functional Primitive Part Features (Document No. R-86-ANC/GM/PP-01.1). CAM-I Inc. Arlington, Texas.
Finger, S.; Dixon, J.R. (1989) A Review of Research in Mechanical Engineering Design. Part 1: Descriptive, and Computer-Based Models of the Design Process.Research in Engineering Design, 1(1), 51–67.
Fridshal, R.; Ranyak, P. (1986).Dimensions and Tolerances Feasibility Demonstration (Document No. PS-86-ANC/GM-01). CAM-I Inc. Arlington, Texas.
Grabowski, H.; Benz, T. (1989) Implementing the Design Methodology. InIFIP WG5.2 Workshop on Intelligent CAD, (pp. 26–29). Osaka, Japan; North-Holland, The Netherlands.
Henderson, M.; Taylor, L. (1992a)The Modeling of Function in Mechanical Design (Document No. R-92-PMP-04). Computer Aided Manufacturing—International, Inc., Arlington, Texas.
Henderson, M.; Taylor, L. (1992b)The Relationships among Functionality, Features, and Dimensions and Tolerances (Document No. R-92-PMP-06). Computer Aided Manufacturing—International, Inc., Arlington, Texas.
Kannapan, S.; Marshek, K.M. (1989)Design Synthetic Reasoning (Mechanical Systems and Design Technical Report No. 216). University of Texas, Austin, Texas.
Kota, S.; Lee, C.-L. (1990) A Functional Framework for Hydraulic Systems Using Abstraction/Decomposition Hierarchies. InProceedings of the 1990 ASME International Computers in Engineering Conference and Exhibition, 1 (pp. 327–340).
Mashburn, T.A.; Anderson, D.C. (1991) An Extensible Computer Environment for Modeling and Analysis in Mechanical Design. InProceedings of the 1991 ASME International Computers in Engineering Conference and Exhibition, 1 (pp. 127–135). Santa Clara, Calif.
Pahl, G.; Beitz, W. (1988)Engineering Design: A Systematic Approach (Arnold Pomerans, & Ken Wallace, trans.) (English ed.). London: The Design Council.
Rane, P.; Isaac, J.R. (1990) Functionality: The Key Concept Towards Integration of the Product Cycle. InProceedings of the 1990 ASME International Computers in Engineering Conference and Exhibition, 1 (pp. 317–326). ASME.
Rinderle, J.R.; Colburn, E.R.; Hoover, S.P.; Paz-Soldan, J.P.; Watton, J.D. (1988) Form-Function Characteristics of Electro-Mechanical Designs. InProceedings of the 1988 NSF Grantee Workshop on Design Theory and Methodology, (pp. 132–147). Springer-Verlag: New York.
Shah, J.J.; Sreevalsan, P.; Rogers, M.; Billo, R.; Mathew, A. (1988).Current Status of Features Technology (Document No. R-88-GM-04.1). Computer Aided Manufacturing-International Inc., Arlington, Texas.
Shanmugavelu, I.; Esterline, A.; Riley, D.R.; Erdman, A. (1991). An Opportunistic Approach to Conceptual Design. InProceedings of the 1991 ASME International Computers in Engineering Conference and Exhibition, 1 (pp. 119–125). Santa Clara, Calif.
Shapiro, V.; Voelcker, H. (1989). On the Role of Geometry in Mechanical Design.Research in Engineering Design, 1(1), 69–73.
Tolman, F.P.; Gielingh, W.F.; Kuiper, P.; Willems, P.H.; Bohms, H.M. (1989).Four Years of Productmodelling: collected papers (TNO-report No. BI-89-140). TNO Institute for Building Materials and Structures, The Netherlands.
Ullman, D.G. (1992)The Mechanical Design Process. New York: McGraw-Hill.
VDI (1973).Konzipieren technischer Produkte (VDI-Richtlinie No. 2222, Sheet 1). Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (VDI), Dusseldorf.
Wolter, J.; Chandrasekaran, P. (1991) A Concept for a Constraint-Based Representation of Functional and Geometric Design Knowledge. InProceedings Symposium on Solid Modeling Foundations and CAD/CAM Application, (pp. 409–418). Austin, Texas.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Henderson, M.R., Taylor, L.E. A meta-model for mechanical products based upon the mechanical design process. Research in Engineering Design 5, 140–160 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01608360
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01608360