The Centre
Design Synthesis
Design Optimisation
Material and Process Selection
Integration of Modelling with Process Selection
Support for Materials Teaching in Schools
Knowledge Management
Knowledge Tools
Aerospace
Healthcare
Sports Engineering
Selection Issues in the Design of Sports Products
Special Projects
Heavy Vehicles
Mileage Marathon Vehicle

References

The Engineering Design Centre

The Centre

The Engineering Design Centre (EDC), supported by a grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), entered its ninth year. The goals of the EDC are to develop, validate and disseminate fundamental design methods for the design of mechanical systems. The research programme is split into five main themes: Design Synthesis, Design Optimisation, Materials Selection, Knowledge Management and Knowledge Tools. The design methods and tools developed are tested on design applications in collaboration with industrial partners in the Aerospace, Healthcare and Sports Engineering sectors. The value of the EDC's current 4-year EPSRC grant for 1997-2000 is £2 million. The collaborative project with Panasonic has continued. Three further EPSRC grants have been awarded to the EDC for research in Computer Assistance for the Motion-Impaired, Design for All and Signposting for Risk-Reduced Tendering. The EDC has also been chosen to be a part of the Rolls-Royce and British Aerospace University Technology Partnership.

Design Synthesis

A methodology is under development for generating conceptual and embodiment designs using functional modelling theory. It is a long-term, generic research project focusing on the early stages of the design process. First a new mechanical concept has to be synthesised and with computer support this can lead to a very large number of solutions that have to be visualised and evaluated. Once a feasible spatial concept has been generated, it is necessary to assemble a model from elementary components, to find dimensions for these components, and for the model's performance to be verified by simulation and animation.

Design Optimisation

The aim of this theme is to develop methods and tools for design optimisation to achieve market, product performance and manufacturing objectives.
A major challenge in this theme is applying the available mathematical optimisation and selection techniques, such as simulated annealing, in the field of mechanical design. The problem is the difficulty of creating a model that expresses a single, or multiple, objective function for a mechanical system in mathematical terms. Specific application areas include structural design and bicycle design. A novel method for growing structures, called metamorphic development, has been created.

Material and Process Selection

The aim of this theme is to understand, model and support the selection of materials, shapes, manufacturing processes and standard components. This theme is intimately linked with Design Optimisation because, to complete the physical description of the product, materials have to be selected for every component; materials and shapes have to be matched; and material manufacturing processes selected. Work has continued in all of these areas as well as on the developing generic selection methodologies for engineering entities, including materials; manufacturing processes; and standard components, such as bearings, bolts or actuators. New work has progressed on eco-selection strategies.

After many man-years of development, the `Cambridge Engineering Selector' (CES3) has been completed and released(D5). This software supersedes the successful Cambridge Materials Selector (CMS2). It integrates the output of about a decade of research work into material and process selection. CES3 has been readily accepted by the academic community world-wide, and is being used increasingly in large engineering corporations.

Integration of Modelling with Process Selection

Process selection can require a knowledge of the complex interaction between characteristics of the process, the material, and the design, particularly for secondary processes such as joining and surface engineering. Process modelling offers opportunities to capture important discrimination between process options, in order to identify processes which are technically viable and economic. A methodology to guide the construction of selection procedures has been developed(D21,D22). Alternative approaches to selection of joining methods, based on capturing expertise in software in a structured manner, have been studied in collaboration with CETIM and the Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble, France.

Support for Materials Teaching in Schools

A project is in progress to develop the teaching of materials in schools and colleges, with the support of the Gatsby Foundation Technical Education Project, and an EPSRC Public Understanding of Science Award. The first activity targets materials and processes in post-16 Design and Technology, using adapted versions of the selection methods developed by the Cambridge EDC. A CD-ROM and supporting booklets will be published in early 2000, to coincide with the release of the new A level syllabuses, and an interactive Web-site is under development. A parallel activity has been developed with the Institute of Physics, to incorporate material selection charts into the new "Advancing Physics" A level course, also to be published on CD-ROM.

Knowledge Management

Dr L.T.M. Blessing

The Knowledge Management theme now incorporates the Rolls-Royce/British Aerospace University Technology Partnership (UTP). The aim is to develop theories and models to support an integrated and flexible design environment that will support designers and design teams. Current product data management systems only capture the geometry of a product as it is designed, along with some very well defined design rules. They do not capture the design process and the rationale that directed the process. The EDC is working on a process-based model, PROSUS, that will capture the rationale as the design process proceeds. The major challenge is the capture, storage and retrieval of knowledge as an integral rather than separate part of the design process.

Design research is an emerging field of academic study. Work is going on to draw together into a book what has been learnt about design research methodology in the EDC since it started in January 1991.

Knowledge Tools

The Knowledge Tools theme is closely associated with the Knowledge Management theme. The aim is to develop methods and tools for guiding designers, particularly at the conceptual stages of design. When working on certain aspects of a design, for example validation or reliability, designers need specialised guidance to help them optimise the emerging product configuration. Examples of this research include the development of design for reliability and design for validation methods, the development of a `signposting' tool to direct designers through complex design processes, the development of design rules for computer interfaces for the motion-impaired and the development of design tools to encourage inclusive design and the development of web-based design support tools.

Aerospace

Based on its strengths in the design process theory and its existing links with the aerospace industry, the EDC was successful in winning against strong competition a major new grant to help establish a University Technology Partnership (UTP) for Design. The five-way partnership links British Aerospace (BAe), Rolls-Royce (RR) and the universities of Cambridge, Sheffield and Southampton. The initial 5-year rolling grant, funded jointly by BAe and RR, is worth £1.5 million with a third of this coming to Cambridge. There are three major research themes for the UTP: Engineering Knowledge Management (Cambridge); Human Factors and Innovation (Sheffield); and Design Search and Optimisation (Southampton). The Cambridge research theme will build on existing research projects such as the Knowledge Acquisition project with Rolls-Royce, and the Design Intent project with British Aerospace. It will also build on the generic projects on Product Data Management, and Knowledge Representation and Access.

Healthcare

The interest here is in two aspects: the increasing priority being given to the needs of disabled people; and the needs of medical equipment manufacturers for designs that may be validated in order to meet regulatory requirements. Cambridge Consultants are currently supporting the development of a new methodology to support the design and validation of medical devices.
A Mobile Arm Support (MAS) is being developed as an assistive aid for Muscular Dystrophy sufferers and it is hoped that this may be commercialised in the near future. Research is also being undertaken in collaboration with the University Computer Laboratory and local companies to define best practice for human-computer interface design suitable for able-bodied and disabled users. A new project is also being established with the Royal College of Art, The London Institute and the Design Council to develop design tools to encourage inclusive design.

Sports Engineering

This new activity has been established to reflect a growing interest in Sports Engineering within the University. Current projects include the aerodynamic
design of Formula One racing cars and the investigation of new materials for use in real tennis balls. Research into the impact of new materials in sports equipment design has also been initiated.

Selection Issues in the Design of Sports Products

The design of sports products offers unusual opportunities for innovation in choice of material and manufacturing process. Traditionally however, designers tend to work within the bounds of individual sports. This project aims to enhance technology transfer between different sports sectors, by capturing design information about sports products and seeking commonality between designs from previously unrelated products. To achieve this, a dedicated database, CES-Sports, has been constructed using the Cambridge Engineering Selector.

Special Projects

This area is set aside for opportunistic work in other sectors. Panasonic in Japan are supporting research into Environmentally-Aware Design and, in collaboration with the University of Tokyo, micro- mechanism design. Techniques are under development for selecting materials to meet specified design criteria while minimising the environmental impact (or `eco-burden') associated with production and use.
A database containing the properties of materials - including those relevant to their environmental impact - is being assembled. It will be used to suggest how redesign can reduce the eco-burden of engineering products.

Other Design Topics

Heavy Vehicles

Work has continued on developing active suspension hardware to optimise roll-over performance of lorries. Detailed designs have been completed and will be implemented in experimental hardware over the coming year. Research into evaluating design concepts and optimising heavy vehicle suspensions has continued, and several publications are in preparation.

Mileage Marathon Vehicle

The Mileage Marathon vehicle finally competed at Silverstone, although a seized transmission bearing in the 4th lap restricted mpg to a pro-rated 500 or so.

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D19. Liu, J-S., Parks, G.T., Clarkson, P.J. Topology optimisation of both trusses and continuum strcutures using a unified metamorphic development method. Engineering Design Optimization: Proceedings, 1st ASMO UK/ISSMO Conference, Ilkley, West Yorkshire (July 1999); Edited by V.V. Toropov, 257-264 (MCB University Press, 1999).

D20. Liu, J-S., Thompson, G., Clarkson, P.J., Parks, G.T. Design for structural performance by multi-factor optimisation. Engineering Design Optimization: Proceedings, 1st ASMO UK/ISSMO Conference, Ilkley, West Yorkshire (July 1999); Edited by V.V. Toropov, 265-270 (MCB University Press, 1999).

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D26. Raphael, B., Shea, K., Smith, I. A task and software independent CAE course. Novel Design and Information Technology Applications for Civil and Structural Engineering: 7th International Conference on Civil and Structural Engineering/ 5th International Conference on the Applications of Artificial Intelligence to Civil and Structural Engineering, Oxford (September 1999); Edited by B. Kumar, B.H.V. Topping, 39-46 (Civil-Comp Press, Edinburgh, 1999). ISBN 0948749636.

D27. Rodgers, P.A., Caldwell, N.H.M., Huxor, A.P., Clarkson, P.J. Handling design knowledge in emerging dispersed enterprises. Proceedings, 12th International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED 99), Munich, Germany; Edited by U. Lindemann, H. Birkhofer, H. Meerkamm, S. Vajna, 3, 3/1617-3/1622 (August 1999). ISBN 3-922979-53-X.

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D37. Suppapitnarm, A., Seffen, K.A., Parks, G.T., Liu, J-S., Clarkson, P.J. Design by multiobjective optimisation using simulated annealing. Proceedings, 12th International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED 99), Munich, Germany; Edited by U. Lindemann, H. Birkhofer, H. Meerkamm, S. Vajna, 3, 3/1395-3/1400 (August 1999). ISBN 3-922979-53-X.

D38. Wallace, K.M. Developing a vision of engineering design in the future. Proceedings, 12th International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED 99), Munich, Germany; Edited by U. Lindemann, H. Birkhofer, H. Meerkam, S. Vajna, 3, 1665-1670 (August 1999). ISBN 3-922979-53-X.

D39. Wallace, K.M., Blessing, L.T.M. An English perspective on the German contribution to engineering design. In: Wolfgang Beitz: Sein Wirken und Schaffen, 583-593 (Springer-Verlag, 1999).

D40. Ward, J.R., Clarkson, P.J., Bracewell, R.H. Supporting mdeical device verification. Proceedings, 12th International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED 99), Munich, Germany; Edited by U. Lindemann, H. Birkhofer, H. Meerkamm, S. Vajna, 1, 1/429-1/432 (August 1999). ISBN 3-922979-53-X.

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Last modified: June 2000