Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Supported by Knowledge Based Engineering

9Knowledge Based Engineering*

9.1 Introduction

This chapter discusses the fundamentals of knowledge based engineering (KBE) and illustrates how this technology can support and enable multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) of complex products. Its scope goes beyond the limit of current CAD systems and other available methods for the parameterization and exploration of the design space. A definition of KBE is provided and its application in engineering design, supporting the use of MDO, is discussed. The working principles and main features of KBE systems are described, with particular focus on their embedded programming language. This language is the core element of any KBE system and allows the capture and reuse of the design knowledge necessary to model complex engineering products. Of particular importance in this book is the facility it offers to automate the preparation phase for the multidisciplinary analysis (MDA) process. The main categories of design rules that can be embedded in a KBE application are described, and several examples are given that pinpoint the main differences between KBE and classical rule-based design system and, in particular, conventional CAD tools. Finally, a section is provided describing the major steps in the evolution of KBE and its current trend in the broader PLM/CAD panorama.

Because KBE is a discipline that is relatively new to the engineering design community, we cover some of the basic issues in more depth than is required for a simple ...