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Article
Publication date: 17 November 2021

Zhoupeng Han, Chenkai Tian, Zihan Zhou and Qilong Yuan

Complex mechanical 3D computer-aided design (CAD) model embodies rich implicit design knowledge. Through discovering the key function parts and key function module in 3D CAD…

Abstract

Purpose

Complex mechanical 3D computer-aided design (CAD) model embodies rich implicit design knowledge. Through discovering the key function parts and key function module in 3D CAD assembly model in advance, it can promote the designers’ understanding and reuse efficiency of 3D assembly model in design reuse.

Design/methodology/approach

An approach for discovering key function module in complex mechanical 3D CAD assembly model is proposed. First, assembly network for 3D CAD assembly model is constructed, where the topology structure characteristics of 3D assembly model are analyzed based on complex network centrality. The degree centrality, closeness centrality, betweenness centrality and mutual information of node are used to evaluate the importance of the parts in 3D assembly model. Then, a multi-attribute decision model for part-node importance is established, and the comprehensive evaluation for key function parts in 3D assembly model is accomplished by combining Analytic Hierarchy Process and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Subsequently, a community discovery of function module in assembly model-based Clauset–Newman–Moore (CNM)-Centrality is given in details. Finally, 3D CAD assembly model of worm gear reducer is taken as an example to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of proposed method.

Findings

The key function part in CAD assembly model is evaluated comprehensively considering assembly topology more objectively. In addition, the key function module containing key function part is discovered from CAD assembly model by using CNM-Centrality-based community discovery.

Practical implications

The approach can be used for discovering important design knowledge from complex CAD assembly model when reusing the assembly model. It can help designers capture and understand the design thinking and intent, improve the reuse efficiency and quality.

Originality/value

The paper first proposes an approach for discovering key function module in complex mechanical 3D CAD assembly model taking advantage of complex network theory, where the key function part is evaluated using node centrality and TOPSIS, and the key function module is identified based on community discovery.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 42 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 July 2019

Zhoupeng Han, Rong Mo, Haicheng Yang and Li Hao

Three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) assembly model has become important resource for design reuse in enterprises, which implicates plenty of design intent, assembly…

Abstract

Purpose

Three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) assembly model has become important resource for design reuse in enterprises, which implicates plenty of design intent, assembly intent, design experience knowledge and functional structures. To acquire quickly CAD assembly models associated with specific functions by using product function requirement information in the product conceptual design phase for model reuse, this paper aims to find an approach for structure-function correlations analysis and functional semantic annotation of mechanical CAD assembly model before functional semantic-based assembly retrieval.

Design/methodology/approach

An approach for structure-function correlations analysis and functional semantic annotation of CAD assembly model is proposed. First, the product knowledge model is constructed based on ontology including design knowledge and function knowledge. Then, CAD assembly model is represented by part attributed adjacency graph and partitioned into multiple functional regions. Assembly region and flow-activity region are defined for structure-function correlations analysis of CAD assembly model. Meanwhile, the extraction process of assembly region and flow-activity region is given in detail. Furthermore, structure-function correlations analysis and functional semantic annotation are achieved by considering comprehensively assembly structure and assembled part shape structure in CAD assembly model. After that, a structure-function relation model is established based on polychromatic sets for expressing explicitly and formally relationships between functional structures, assembled parts and functional semantics.

Findings

The correlation between structure and function is analyzed effectively, and functional semantics corresponding to structures in CAD assembly model are labeled. Additionally, the relationships between functional structures, assembled parts and functional semantics can be described explicitly and formally.

Practical implications

The approach can be used to help designers accomplish functional semantic annotation of CAD assembly models in model repository, which provides support for functional semantic-based CAD assembly retrieval in the product conceptual design phase. These assembly models can be reused for product structure design and assembly process design.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a novel approach for structure-function correlations analysis and functional semantic annotation of mechanical CAD assembly model. Functional structures in assembly model are extracted and analyzed from the point of view of assembly structure and function part structure. Furthermore, the correlation relation between structures, assembled parts and functional semantics is expressed explicitly and formally based on polychromatic sets.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 39 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2017

Zhoupeng Han, Rong Mo, Zhiyong Chang, Li Hao and Weilong Niu

The purpose of this paper is to find a method for key assembly structure identification in complex mechanical assembly. Three-dimensional model reuse plays an increasingly…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find a method for key assembly structure identification in complex mechanical assembly. Three-dimensional model reuse plays an increasingly important role in complex product design and innovative design. Assembly model has become important resource of models reuse in enterprises, which contains certain function assembly structures. These assembly structures implicating plenty of design intent and design experience knowledge can be used to support function-structure design, modular design reuse and semantics analysis for complex product.

Design/methodology/approach

A method for identifying key assembly structures in assembly model is presented from the viewpoint of assembly topology and multi-source attributes. First, assembly model is represented based on complex network. Then, a two-level evaluation model is put forward to evaluate importance of parts assembled, and the key function parts in assembly can be obtained. After that, on the basis of the function parts, a heuristic algorithm upon breadth first searching is given to identify key assembly structures.

Findings

The method could be used to evaluate key function parts and identify key assembly structures in complex mechanical assembly according to the specific circumstances.

Practical implications

The method can not only help designers find the key assembly structure in complex mechanical assembly model, facilitate the function-structure designing and semantics analyzing, and thereby improve the efficiency of product knowledge reuse, but also assist in analyzing influence scope of key function part changing and optimization of the assembly process for complex mechanical assembly.

Originality/value

The paper is the first to propose a method for key assembly structure identification in complex mechanical assembly, where the key function parts can be evaluated through a two-level evaluation model, and the key assembly structures are identified automatically based on complex network.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 37 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

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