A List of Responders
Virtual Manufacturing Background Project
tomiyama@zzz.pe.u-tokyo.ac.jp Tetsuo Tomiyama (tomiyama@pe.u-tokyo.ac.jp) | Dept of Precision Machinery Engineering, The University of Tokyo | Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113, JAPAN | Tel: 03-3812-2111 ext. 6454 | Telex: 272-2111 FEUT J | Fax: 03-3812-8849
http://www.zzz.pe.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ We are currently working on developing a computational framework for "Knowledge Intensive Engineering" which aims at better and more efficient designing of more innovative products. The framework is built on Smalltalk-80 (now called ObjectWorks) and has the following features (including existing ones and plans): (1) Management of multiple models (of design objects) with "pluggable" features that allow to plug in existing external modeling systems such as geometric modeler, FEA package, symbolic math (Mathematica), etc. (2) A large scale knowledge base for engineering design and manufacturing. (3) Engineering design support includes function modeling and synthesis support for conceptual design, geometric modeling, FEA, dynamics analysis (based on the Bond Graph technique), Petri net simulation for discrete event simulation, control software generation (for mechatronics machines), etc. (4) Product life cycle support, not only design, but also manufacturing, operation, maintenance, repair, recycling, etc. We have already developed, for instance, tools to generate diagnostic models for model-based diagnostic and repair planning, operation support, fault tree analysis, reliability design, etc. The Petri net simulator assists manufacturing preparation. > 3. MODELING TECHNOLOGIES: Since simulations are based on models, modeling > technologies are key technologies for VM. Significant modeling issues are: > representation, representation languages, abstraction, federation, > standardization, reuse, multi-use, and configuration control. Our modeling technology emphasizes "symbolic modeling" for non-geometric modeling, such as function modeling, etc. For this purpose, we use qualitative physics technology (among other things, Qualitative Process Theory based representation). > 4. REPRESENTATION: The technologies, methods, semantics, grammars and > analytical constructs required to represent all of the types of information > associated with designing and manufacturing a product in such a way that the > information can be transparently shared between all software applications > that support the representation technologies, methods, semantics, etc. See above. > 5. META-MODELING: This area refers to modeling about modeling, in essence, > constructing, defining and developing models that accommodate inter-model > interaction. The area involves standards and integration issues. The kernel of the knowledge intensive engineering framework is the metamodel mechanism that allows "modeling models." Concepts represented in the metamodel is commonly defined in the knowledge base, so that sharing and re-using knowledge are possible. The pluggable feature lends itself for integration. > 7. SIMULATION: The ability to represent a physical system or environment > in a computer. This area includes a wide range of computer software > applications and, in the long term, links to real world systems that > enable simulation-based control. Includes model optimization and validation. Qualitative simulation is what to be noted in our approach.
A List of Responders
Virtual Manufacturing Background Project
Virtual Manufacturing Home Page