Abstract
We introduce the metamodel as a new modeling framework for design objects based on General Design Theory, a mathematical model of design. Using General Design Theory, the metamodel concept can serve three functions: (1) as a central modeling mechanism to integrate models, (2) as a mechanism for modeling physical phenomena, and (3) as a tool for describing evolving design objects. Modeling with multiple points of view is realized by representing physical phenomena that occur in the deisng object and by constructing models with knowledge of physics and design from the metamodel. We illustrate the first and second functions of metamodels with an example based on naive physics, and we illustrate the third function of the metamodel through design experiments. Finally, we present two systems to illustrate how the metamodel mechanism can be implemented.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Arbab, F.: “A paradigm for intelligent CAD,” in [ten Hagen and Tomiyama 1987], pp. 20–39
Bø, K., Estensen, L., and Warman, E.A. (eds.):Proceedings of CAPE'86, Second International Conference on Computer Applications in Production and Engineering, Copenhagen
Bobrow, D.G. (ed.): (1984)Qualitative Reasoning about Physical Systems, The MIT Press, Cambridge, MA
Eder, W.E. (ed.): (1987)WDK 13, Proceedings of the 1987 International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED 87), ASME, New York
Ericsson, K.E. and Simon, H.A.: (1980) “Verbal reports as data,”Psychological Review, 87(3), pp. 215–251
Forbus, K.D.: “Qualitative process theory,” in [Bobrow 1984], pp. 85–168
Gero, J.S. (ed.):Knowledge Engineering in Computer Aided Design, Proceedings of the IFIP W.G. 5.2 Working Conference 1984 (Budapest, Hungary), North-Holland, Amsterdam
Gero, J.S. (ed.):Expert Systems in Computer Aided Design, Proceedings of the IFIP W.G. 5.2 Working Conference 1987 (Sydney, Australia), North-Holland, Amsterdam
Gero, J.S. (ed.): (1988)Artificial Intelligence in Engineering Design, Elsevier, Amsterdam, Oxford, New York, Tokyo
Goldberg, A. and Robson, D.: (1983)Smalltalk-80: The Language and its Implementation, Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, USA
ten Hagen, P.J.W. and Tomiyama, T. (eds.): (1987)Intelligent CAD Systems 1: Theoretical and Methodological Aspects, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Tokyo
Hubka, V. and the Programme Committee (eds.):WDK 12, Proceedings of ICED 85 (Hamburg)-Theory and Practice of Engineeing Design in International Comparison, Heurista, Zurich
Hubka, V. and Andreasen, M.M. (eds.): (1983)WDK 10, Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Design in Copenhagen 1983, Heurista, Zurich
Hughes, G.E. and Cresswell, M.J.: (1972)An Introduction to Modal Logic, Methuen, London
Kimura, F., Suzuki, H., and Wingard, L.: “A uniform approach to dimensioning and tolerancing in product modelling,” in [Bø, Estensen, and Warman 1986], pp. 165–171
Kalay, Y.E. (ed.): (1987)Computability of Design, John Wiley & Sons, New York, Chichester, Brisbane, Toronto, Singapore
Reiter, R.: (1980) “A logic for default reasoning,”Artificial Intelligence, 13, pp. 81–132
Sata, T. and Warman, E.A. (eds.): (1981)Man-Machine Communication in CAD/CAM, Proceedings of the IFIP WG5.2/5.3 Working Conference 1980 (Tokyo), North-Holland, Amsterdam
Sriram, D. and Adey, R. (eds.): (1986)Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Engineering Problems, Proceedings of 1st International Conference 1986 (Southampton University, UK), Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Tokyo
Sriram, D. and Adey, R. (eds.): (1987)Artificial Intelligence in Engineering: Tools and Techniques. Computational Mechanics Publications, Southampton, UK
Sriram, D. and Adey, R. (eds.): (1987a)Knowledge Based Expert Systems in Engineering: Planning and Design. Computational Mechanics Publications, Southampton, UK
Sriram, D. and Adey, R. (eds.): (1987b)Knowledge Based Expert Systems for Engineering: Classification, Education and Control, Computational Mechanics Publications, Southampton, UK
Tomiyama, T. and ten Hagen, P.J.W.: (1987) “The Concept of Intelligent Integrated Interactive CAD Systems, CWI Report No. CS-R8717, Centre for Mathematics and Computer Science, Amsterdam
Tomiyama, T. and ten Hagen, P.J.W.: (1987a): “Representing Knowledge in Two Distinet Descriptions: Extensional vs. Intensional,” CWI Report No. CS-R8718, Centre for Mathematics and Computer Science, Amsterdam
Tomiyama, T. and Yoshikawa, H.: “Extended general design theory,” in [Yoshikawa and Warman 1987], pp. 95–130
Ullman, D.G., Dietterich, T.G., and Stauffer, L.A.: “A model of the mechanical design process based on empirical data: a summary,” in [Gero 1988], pp. 193–215
Veth, B.: “An integrated data description language for coding design knowledge,” in [ten Hagen and Tomiyama 1987], pp. 295–313
Yoshikawa, H.: “General design theory and a CAD system,” in [Sata and Warman 1981], pp. 35–58
Yoshikawa, H., Arai, E., and Goto, T.: (1981) “Theory of design experiment,”Journal of JSPE 47(7), pp. 830–835 (in Japanese)
Yoshikawa, H. and Warman, E.A.: (1987)Design Theory for CAD, Proceedings of the IFIP WG5.2 Working Conference 1985 (Tokyo), North-Holland, Amsterdam.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tomiyama, T., Kiriyama, T., Takeda, H. et al. Metamodel: A key to intelligent CAD systems. Research in Engineering Design 1, 19–34 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01580000
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01580000