Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An engineering design knowledge reuse methodology using process modelling

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Research in Engineering Design Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper describes an approach for reusing engineering design knowledge. Many previous design knowledge reuse systems focus exclusively on geometrical data, which is often not applicable in early design stages. The proposed methodology provides an integrated design knowledge reuse framework, bringing together elements of best practice reuse, design rationale capture and knowledge-based support in a single coherent framework. Best practices are reused through the process model. Rationale is supported by product information, which is retrieved through links to design process tasks. Knowledge-based methods are supported by a common design data model, which serves as a single source of design data to support the design process. By using the design process as the basis for knowledge structuring and retrieval, it serves the dual purpose of design process capture and knowledge reuse: capturing and formalising the rationale that underpins the design process, and providing a framework through which design knowledge can be stored, retrieved and applied. The methodology has been tested with an industrial sponsor producing high vacuum pumps for the semiconductor industry.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andrews P, Shahin T, Sivaloganathan S (1999) Design reuse in a CAD environment—four case studies. Comput Ind Eng 37:105–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Backer T, Siegel T, Rabin P, McGrath T (1995) Avoiding the redesign trap: standard design processes improve design quality and reuse. In: Proceedings of the 10th computing in aerospace conference, AIAA, San Antonio, TX, USA, pp 95–1003

  • Balasubramanian P, Nochur K, Henderson J, Kwan M (1999) Managing process knowledge for decision support. Decis Support Syst 27(1):145–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baxter DI, Gao JX (2004) Process based representation for design knowledge. In: Proceedings of the 2nd international conference on manufacturing research 2004 (ICMR 2004), Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK

  • Baxter DI, Gao JX (2005) Process based design knowledge reuse through process and product representation. In: Proceedings of the 12th CIRP life cycle engineering seminar (CIRP LCE) 2005, Grenoble, France

  • Blessing LTM (1995) A process-based approach to design. Colloq Dig IEE 49:4

  • Burge JE, Brown DC (2002) Integrating design rationale with a process model. In: International workshop on agents in design, WAID’02, MIT, Cambridge

  • Busby JS (1999) The problem with design reuse: an investigation into outcomes and antecedents. J Eng Des 10(3):277–297

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Clarkson PJ, Hamilton JR (2000) Signposting, a parameter-driven task-based model of the design process. Res Eng Des 12(1):18–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Classen A, Lopez L (1998) New product introduction between two geographically dispersed entities. In: International conference on engineering and technology management, 1998. (IEMC ‘98), IEEE, San Juan, PR, USA

  • Concheri G, Milanese V (2000) MIRAGGIO: a system for the dynamic management of product data and design models. Adv Eng Softw 32:527–543

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costa CA, Young RIM (2001) Product range models supporting design knowledge reuse. Proceedings of the institution of mechanical engineers—Part B—Eng Manuf 215(3):323–338

  • Finger S (1998) Design reuse and design research—keynote paper. In: Engineering design conference ‘98, Professional Engineering Publishing, Brunel University, UK

  • Gardam A, Burge SE (1997) Changes in the engineering design process. In: Proceedings of the 11th national conference on manufacturing research (NCMR) Advances in Manufacturing Technology XI. Glasgow Caledonian University, UK

  • Gorti SR, Gupta A, Kim GJ, Sriram RD, Wong A (1998) An object-oriented representation for product and design processes. Comput Aided Design 30(7):489–501

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Hansen C, Andreasen M (2002) The content and nature of a design concept. In: Norddesign 2002: visions and values in engineering design. Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

  • Harding JA, Popplewell K, Cook D (2003) Manufacturing system engineering moderator: an aid for multidiscipline project teams. Int J Prod Res 41(9):1973–1986

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayashi N, Herman G (2002) A coordination-theory approach to exploring process alternatives for designing differentiated products. In: Engineering management conference, 2002 (IEMC ‘02), IEEE International, Cambridge, UK

  • Hew KP, Fisher N, Awbi HB (2001) Towards an integrated set of design tools based on a common data format for building and services design. Automat Constr 10(4):459–476

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hicks BJ, Culley SJ, Allen RD, Mullineux G (2002) A framework for the requirements of capturing, storing and reusing information and knowledge in engineering design. Int J Inform Manage 22(4):263–280

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang HZ, Gu YK (2006) Development mode based on integration of product models and process models. Concurrent Eng Res Appl 14(1):27–34

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Inns T, Neville P (1998) Establishing a company-level design process to facilitate design reuse. In: Engineering design conference ‘98, Professional Engineering Publishing, Brunel University, UK

  • Johannessen J-A, Olaisen J, Olsen B (2001) Mismanagement of tacit knowledge: the importance of tacit knowledge, the danger of information technology, and what to do about it. Int Inform Manag 21:3–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalpic B, Bernus P (2002) Business process modelling in industry-the powerful tool in enterprise management. Comput Ind 47(3):299–318

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kerr C, Roy R, Sackett P (2004) A product ontology for automotive seat specification. In: The 2004 ASME international design engineering technical conferences & the computer and information in engineering conference (ASME DETC/CIE 2004)—30th design automation conference (DAC), Salt Lake City, UT, USA

  • Knott RP, Merunka V, Polak J (2003) The role of object oriented process modeling in requirements engineering phase of information systems development. In: EFITA 2003, Debrecen, Hungary

  • Leake DB, Wilson DC (2001) A case-based framework for interactive capture and reuse of design knowledge. Appl Intell 14:77–94

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, Shao X, Li P, Liu Q (2004) Design and implementation of a process-oriented intelligent collaborative product design system. Comput Ind 53(2):205–229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lowe A, McMahon C, Culley S (2004a) Information access, storage and use by engineering designers—Part 1. Eng Designer March/April:30–32

  • Lowe A, McMahon C, Culley S (2004b) Information access, storage and use by engineering designers—Part 2. Eng Designer May/June:23–25

  • Lu S, Cai J, Burkett W, Udwadia F (2000) A methodology for collaborative design process and conflict analysis. Ann CIRP 49(1):69–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Lubit R (2001) The keys to sustainable competitive advantage: tacit knowledge and knowledge management. Organ Dyn 29(4):164–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Markus ML (2001) Toward a theory of knowledge reuse: types of knowledge reuse situations and factors in reuse success. J Manage Inf Syst 18(1):57–93

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Matsumoto IT, Stapleton J, Glass J Thorpe T (2005) A knowledge-capture report for multidisciplinary design environments. J Knowl Manage 9(3):83–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA (1993) Integration definition for function modeling (IDEFØ)

  • Nonaka I (1994) A dynamic theory of organizational knowledge creation. Organ Sci. 5(1):14–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paashuis V, Boer H (1997) Organizing for concurrent engineering: an integration mechanism framework. Integr Manuf Syst 8(2):79–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pakovich N, Marjanovich D (2001) Considering an object oriented approach to the design process planning. Int J Technol Manag 21:25–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Park H, Cutosky MR (1999) Framework for modeling dependencies in collaborative engineering processes. Res Eng Des 11(2):84–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pavkovic N, Marjanovic D (2000) Entities in the object oriented design process model. In: International design conference (Design 2000), Dubrovnik, Croatia

  • Ramesh B, Tiwana A (1999) Supporting collaborative process knowledge management in new product development teams. Decis Support Syst 27:213–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodgers PA, Caldwell NHM, Clarkson PJ, Huxor AP (2001) The management of concept design knowledge in modern product development organizations. Int J Comput Integr Manuf 14(1):108–115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodgers PA, Huxor AP, Caldwell NHM (1999) Design support using distributed web-based AI tools. Res Eng Des 11(1):31–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Röhl P, Kolonay R, Irani R, Sobolewski M, Kao K (2000) A federated intelligent product environment. In: Proceedings of the 8th AIAA/USAF/NASA/ISSMO Symposium on Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization, Long Beach, CA, USA

  • Sainter P, Oldham K, Larkin A, Murton A, Brimble R (2000) Product knowledge management within knowledge-based engineering systems. In: ASME 2000 Design Engineering Technical Conference, ASME, MD, USA

  • Saviotti PP (1998) On the dynamics of appropriability, of tacit and of codified knowledge. Res Policy 26:843–856

    Google Scholar 

  • Schofield M, Gregory M (2002) The impact of architectural uncertainty on product introduction in dispersed environments. In: Engineering management conference, 2002 (IEMC ‘02), IEEE International, Cambridge, UK

  • Shahin TMM, Andrews PTJ, Sivaloganathan S (1999) A design reuse system. proceedings of the institution of mechanical engineers, Part B: J Eng Manuf 213(6):621–627

    Google Scholar 

  • Shooter S, Keirouz W, Szykman S, Fenves S (2000) A model for the flow of design information in product development. Eng Comput 16(3–4):178–194

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Sim SK, Duffy AH (2003) Towards an ontology of generic engineering design activities. Res Eng Des 14:200–223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sivaloganathan S, Shahin TMM (1999) Design reuse: an overview. Proceedings of the institution of mechanical engineers—Part B—Eng Manuf 213(7):641–655

  • Suh NP (1990) The principles of design. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Tate D, Nordlund M (1996) A design process roadmap as a general tool for structuring and supporting design activities. In: Proceedings of the second world conference on integrated design and process technology, Austin, TX, USA

  • Tucker D, Hackney R (2000) Towards the integration of concurrent engineering environments within organisational strategy. J Manag Dev 19(3):179–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuomi I (1999) Data is more than knowledge: implications of the reversed knowledge hierarchy for knowledge management and organizational memory. J Manag Inform Syst 16(3):103–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Salminen V, Yassine A, Riitahuhta A (2000) A strategic management framework for collaborative product development. In: Proceedings of the 4th international conference on engineering design and automation (ED&A), Orlando, FL

  • Walsham G (2001) Knowledge management: the benefits and limitations of computer systems. Eur Manage J 19(6):599–608

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wood III WH, Agogino AM (1996) Case-based conceptual design information server for concurrent engineering. Comput Aided Design 28(5):361–369

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wujek B, Koch P, Chiang W (2000) A workflow paradigm for flexible design process configuration in FIPER. In: Proceedings of the 8th AIAA/USAF/NASA/ISSMO Symposium on Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization, AIAA-2000–4868, Long Beach, CA, USA

  • Xu Z, Frazer J, Tang M (2002) Novel design methodology supporting product life-cycle design. Comput Ind 49:253–265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yassine AA, Falkenburg DR (1999) A framework for design process specifications management. J Eng Des 10(3):223–234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zdrahal Z, Mulholland P, Domingue J, Hatala M (2000) Sharing engineering design knowledge in a distributed environment. Behav Inf Technol 19(3):189–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the funding provided for this collaborative project through the Cranfield University and Loughborough University Innovative Manufacturing Research Centres, which are supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. The participation and continued support of BOC Edwards is greatly appreciated.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Decision Engineering Centre, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK

    David Baxter

  2. School of Engineering, The University of Greenwich, Kent, ME4 4TB, UK

    James Gao

  3. Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK

    Keith Case, Jenny Harding, Bob Young, Sean Cochrane & Shilpa Dani

Authors
  1. David Baxter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. James Gao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Keith Case
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jenny Harding
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Bob Young
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Sean Cochrane
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Shilpa Dani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to David Baxter.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Baxter, D., Gao, J., Case, K. et al. An engineering design knowledge reuse methodology using process modelling. Res Eng Design 18, 37–48 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00163-007-0028-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00163-007-0028-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation