Abstract:
Knowledge based enhancements to CAD systems are currently being offered as a
means of
furthering designer performance in the product development process. A
considerable
body of research has already taken place to define how such systems
work and further
options are currently being explored to build on achievements to
date. However, the uptake of such systems in industrial practice is not widespread
and assessment of such
systems are not well documented in the literature. The
present work first reviews current CAD practice as 'computer-aided drafting' and
highlights the limitations and difficulties associated with the continued exclusive use
of such
systems in design. The need for proper uptake of knowledge-based CAD
systems is then described, demonstrated and assessed.
This thesis considers some of the difficulties associated with
introducing knowledge based
CAD
systems onto the critical path of engineering programmes and sets out
to evaluate the
performance of one such system in the context of a live aircraft
development project. The commercially available /knowledge-based engineering
ÄUKBE) system ICAD from Concentra Ltd is selected for assessment in the context of
aero structural
design. A case study demonstrator is developed to automate the solid
modelling of light alloy fuselage frame sectors and applied in practical design trials
to determine its
performance against well understood conventional CAD system
expectations.
The
major contribution of the thesis is in assessing the impact on working practice
of
introducing KBE systems into the aircraft design process. The business benefits
of
using KBE systems in an aerospace engineering programme are quantified.
Some ideas for the extended
functionality of such systems to achieve a greater
level of
generic applicability are presented and implications of use of such systems
discussed.
Finally, recommendations for the extended deployment of KBE systems
to achieve
strategic market advantage in an aerospace context are given.
