Enhanced function-means modeling supporting design space exploration

Müller, Jakob; Isaksson, Ola; Landahl, Jonas; Raja, V.K. Bupesh; Panarotto, Massimo; Levandowski, Christoffer E; Raudberget, Dag

doi:10.1017/s0890060419000271

Cited by 20 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Similarly, using the notion design solution interchangeable to that of the authors (i.e. means), the limitations of existing approaches' ability to integrate new solutions to existing products is outlined in a research effort supporting design space exploration (Müller et al, 2019). Other research efforts point toward this fact of sub functional focus could have a tendency to distract designers from the main issues they face (Kroll, 2013).…”

Section: Limitations Of the Fm-treementioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, while the FM-tree and the Chromosome model do not handle the degree of connectedness between functions and means, visualizing multifunctional organs or means on the FM-tree can support designers in focusing on which functions to merge and search for a multi-functional biological analogy corresponding to. In further improving and shaping this design support, inspiration will be drawn from a research effort from Chalmers University also evaluating structural relationships between means and functions qualitatively (Müller et al, 2019). However, as our motivation is to finalize the functional analysis process by proposing multi-functional means, our functional decomposition is run top-down.…”

Section: Qualitative Assessment Of the Fm-tree's Degree Of Multi-functionalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Approaches to analyzing multi-functional problems

Svendsen

Lenau

2020

Balancing Innovation and Operation

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The acknowledgement of designers' appreciation of conceptualization approaches rooted in functional decomposition and morphological synthesis in addition to the criticism regarding sub functional focus and limited innovation facilitation ability of these approaches, is the theoretical starting point of this article. Inspired by the multi-functionality of fascinating principles found in nature (e.g. 'the skin' of some organisms containing, protecting and camouflaging), this article explores how multi-functionality is handled in engineering design to: Study the way inspiration can be found, thus improving innovation capabilities (1) and improve the way products are analysed, thus removing sub functional focus (2). The topic is explored by interviewing and literature studying as research methods. Using a multi-functional case, a pairwise pattern of function types appeared suggesting searching for multi-functional solution principles should be further investigated. Furthermore, with minor changes to the FM-tree, designers are guided in assessing a product's degree of complexity, informing decisions on which functions to disscover a multi-functional biological analogy corresonding to.

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Section: Limitations Of the Fm-treementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Qualitative Assessment Of the Fm-tree's Degree Of Multi-functionalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Approaches to analyzing multi-functional problems

Svendsen

Lenau

2020

Balancing Innovation and Operation

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“…As a result, these two information sets can be coupled. The other main assumption for the approach is that if the function of a geometry element is identified, alternative solutions for that function can be identified and integrated into the product architecture [25,36].…”

Section: The Fge Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The DSE approach is separated into three phases decomposition, innovation and embodiment, following [36]. The presented workshop focuses on the interactions with practitioners in the phases decomposition and innovation.…”

Section: Design Space Exploration Using Fgementioning

confidence: 99%

Design Space Exploration of a Jet Engine Component Using a Combined Object Model for Function and Geometry

2020

Self Cite

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The design of aircraft and engine components hinges on the use of computer aided design (CAD) models and the subsequent geometry-based analyses for evaluation of the quality of a concept. However, the generation (and variation) of CAD models to include radical or novel design solutions is a resource intense modelling effort. While approaches to automate the generation and variation of CAD models exist, they neglect the capture and representation of the product’s design rationale—what the product is supposed to do. The design space exploration approach Function and Geometry Exploration (FGE) aims to support the exploration of more functionally and geometrically different product concepts under consideration of not only geometrical, but also teleological aspects. The FGE approach has been presented and verified in a previous presentation. However, in order to contribute to engineering design practice, a design method needs to be validated through application in industrial practice. Hence, this publication reports from a study where the FGE approach has been applied by a design team of a Swedish aerospace manufacturers in a conceptual product development project. Conceptually different alternatives were identified in order to meet the expected functionality of a guide vane (GV). The FGE was introduced and applied in a series of workshops. Data was collected through participatory observation in the design teams by the researchers, as well as interviews and questionnaires. The results reveal the potential of the FGE approach as a design support to: (1) Represent and capture the design rationale and the design space; (2) capture, integrate and model novel solutions; and (3) provide support for the embodiment of novel concepts that would otherwise remain unexplored. In conclusion, the FGE method supports designers to articulate and link the design rationale, including functional requirements and alternative solutions, to geometrical features of the product concepts. The method supports the exploration of alternative solutions as well as functions. However, scalability and robustness of the generated CAD models remain subject to further research.

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“…The Enhanced Function-Means (EF-M) method of functional decomposition is an option very well suited for the description of the platform in abstract form, enabling alternatives generation and selection on a pure functional level, while considering existing constraints (Müller et al, 2019).…”

Section: Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interactive model-based decision-making tools in early product platform design

Fernandez¹

2020

Balancing Innovation and Operation

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Integrating new technologies in existing product platforms presents challenges not only when the decision of going ahead with the integration is taken, but also in the earlier design of the platform structure to accommodate hypothetical changes in the future. Common heuristics do no guarantee that the optimum solution can be found to these kinds of problems, and biases lead to systematic distortions in decision-making. Additionally with the global zeitgeist around sustainable development, decision makers will increasingly ask for paths to many different versions of success, not just the traditional profit maximization one. A set of common models that accompanies the product platform all through its lifecycle to support decision makers can enable better fulfilment of the expectations of all stakeholders. But it is difficult to unify and objectively gather the views of multiple stakeholder simultaneously. An interactive modelbased decision making support system is proposed as a tool to solve the mentioned challenges. In this paper we describe and experiment with the main technological foundations of such a tool. These include an web-based front end, and a real-time NoSQL database in the back end. The client web application (webapp) enables user inputs, runs quantitative models, and visualizes results. The database records results and enables the use of common inputs and common visualization of the results. The models that run directly in the client are developed offline and can be continuously deployed with no downtime for concurrent users. The technology stack used demonstrates that rapid prototyping of tools using state-of-the-art web technologies provides quick results and enables researchers to make quick iterations that can be easily deployed in industrial use cases. The presented method is a new approach to providing digital support to the design process, by enabling better informed decisions during the product development process early phases. In this paper, an introduction and background to the problem and current state of the art is summarized, a method to approaching the topic is described, an experiment performed in front of a life audience is presented, and hints for future developments are considered in the discussion and conclusion sections.

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Enhanced function-means modeling supporting design space exploration

Cited by 20 publications

References 37 publications

Approaches to analyzing multi-functional problems

Approaches to analyzing multi-functional problems

Design Space Exploration of a Jet Engine Component Using a Combined Object Model for Function and Geometry

Interactive model-based decision-making tools in early product platform design

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