Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Supported by Knowledge Based Engineering

Appendix AImplementation of KBE in an MDO System

A.1 Introduction

As explained in Chapter 9, KBE is a term used for a technology and methodology that can support and/or mimic many tasks found in a design team and an MDO system. The list below summarizes part of the required functionality of a KBE system that can benefit from KBE capabilities:

• Data organization and storage/retrieval (reflecting the concept of the N-square diagram and data dependency matrix; Chapter 8)
• Calling major computer codes for execution, including their execution as subroutines one to another
• Scripting the above execution sequences to implement methods presented in the book
• Interaction of computer/individual, computer/human organization, individual/team, and team/team
• Visual representation of data and functions
• Adaptability of the level of detail in data and analysis reflecting the design process unfolding in time from conceptual to detailed
• Concurrent operations at the computer level and human iteration levels

In this appendix, however, the focus will be on the implementation of the multimodel generator capability as defined in Chapter 9 that underpins the application of MDO methods in generating optimum designs. After explaining the basic principles, some advanced examples will be shown to illustrate the power of KBE to support massive parallel multimodel generation for geometrically complex product design requiring multiple view generative modeling.

This appendix is intended to support readers who ...