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The search for competitive advantages in today’s industry necessitates a shift in the approach to developing economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable products. A critical aspect of this approach is evaluating a product’s functions and linking them to its manufacturability to reduce costs and achieve a more balanced design that aligns with customers’ perceived value and actual manufacturing costs. Despite this, there is a lack of significant research on methods that connect the various stages of the integrated product development process. This paper begins by conducting a comprehensive review and content analysis of recent research to identify the current state of research in this field. Next, it proposes a model that aims to strike a balance between the value of a product’s functions and the cost of implementing solutions throughout the product development process. To test the proposed model, it was applied to a real-world example from the consumer goods industry. The results demonstrate the relevance of the gathered information, the feasibility of the method, as well as its specificities, impacts, and limitations.

The article reviews the status of the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) study towards feasibility demonstration of a novel and challenging technology which has been specially developed to extend Linear Colliders energy reach into the multi-TeV range in order to be complementary to LHC (Large Hadron Collider). A Conceptual Design Report is being published summarizing the performance of a High Energy facility based on such a technology as well as the results of the R&D performed to address its feasibility.

The size of multimedia data is increasing fast due to the abundance of multimedia applications. Modeling the semantics of the data effectively is crucial for proper management of it. In this paper, we present a fuzzy conceptual data model for multimedia data which is also generic in the sense that it can be adapted to all multimedia domains. The model takes an object-oriented approach and it handles fuzziness at different representation levels where fuzziness is inherent in multimedia applications and should be properly modeled. The proposed model also has the nice feature of representing the structural hierarchy of multimedia data as well as the spatial and temporal relations of the data. The model is applied to the news video domain and implemented as a fuzzy multimedia database system where it turns out to be effective in representing the domain and thereby provides an evidence for the general applicability of the model. The model is accompanied by an automatic multimedia annotation scheme which makes use of information extraction techniques on the corresponding multimedia texts.

This paper introduces an approach to a port-based functional modeling framework for product conceptual design. A port-based knowledge building process is described for functional modeling. This research proposes a method of creating and managing different ports. First, this paper describes port attributes and three port types — mechanical port, electrical port and configuration port, and gives port attributes of compatibility. Second, it presents a port-based modeling design process, that is divided into three main modules: the language of port description, port-based FBS representation and port knowledge management. Three knowledge layers are specialized for function, behavior and structural knowledge. They represent different abstraction levels of the product conceptualization. Each layer is represented with a description logic for convenient reasoning. We provide formal definitions of the framework to manage port knowledge. Finally, the process of port-based functional modeling is presented in a thermal bubble jet application to demonstrate the effectiveness of the research.

The conceptual design of products is an important stage in the design process. However, how to reuse the existing and successful parts is always the key factor to the success of products in the process. To match the case parts rapidly and accurately, this paper puts forward the case-based reasoning (CBR) technology based on functional mode, which expresses accurately the functional structure through the generalized positioning of parts in products. Also, the scheme of variable-length hierarchical coding of functional mode is proposed, and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is adopted to determine matching function. Then, based on the hierarchy retrieval mode, the accurate matching of case parts is realized. The application of instance shows that the matching mode is feasible.

Main advances in artificial intelligence robotics are algorithms, embodied in software on the level of application software. Low-level hardware programming, electronic, and mechanics are the necessary basis to enable the implementation of newly developed algorithms. Complex autonomous systems are challenged by the tasks that require fast reactions, resulting in high accelerations and forces. These systems, therefore, generally need low masses, stiff limbs, and a precise control.

To boost AI-research, more robotic systems that are appropriate to specific research questions are needed. Mechanical design is, therefore, faced with the task to provide specialized systems with a given amount of time and factors of production. This paper outlines an approach to increase the efficiency of engineering design in the field of robotics by analyzing the bilateral influence of the system concept with embodiment design driven by the state of the art small-batch manufacturing technologies.

The humanoid robotic system AILA is presented and the selected steps out of its design process are discussed. A way to clearly state the axioms and requirements that the developed system is based on is presented. The resulting dependencies lead to the embodiment design of the systems components, which are also influenced by the choice of suitable manufacturing technologies.

The research presented in this paper has extended the substructuring technique into the nonlinear domain in order to apply the finite element analysis (FEA) method to complex nonlinear structural design problems in the conceptual design stage. As conventional FE models based on substructures allow only linear analysis, it was necessary in this research to introduce a new algorithm capable of linearizing nonlinear structural problems with sufficient accuracy in order to enable evaluation of engineering design concepts in a more objective and rigorous manner in the early stages of design. The developed method was implemented within a commercial FE solver, and validated using a select number of case studies. The results obtained for the two sample solutions indicate that the new method has achieved an improvement in accuracy of 90% and 98% respectively compared to the conventional FE-based approach applied to the same class of design problems.

As the degree of globalization increases, developing country’s race with countries practicing knowledge society norms requires creative techniques. Countries with limited technological capabilities tend to confront with middle-income trap that makes them create strategies profiting from technological innovation. The well-known method is to perform a technology foresight study and establish the technologies that the country must develop to improve its wellbeing. This paper proposes a differed approach in which a high technology product is serving as the prime motivation behind the nations planning of technology progress. The outcome of the methodology is the selection, prioritization and planning of necessary technologies of the product using all technological capabilities of the nation. Results of the exercise are instrumental in establishing the technology base of the country and enhance its promise of improving technological capability to a higher level. The paper explains the developed methodology and discusses its outputs.

"Computing with Words" (CW) is a methodology that has been developed to replicate the process of human cogitation. The objects of computation in CW are propositions drawn from natural language. This paper presents a CW based approach for recreating the human decision-making process during the early design phases when the available information is mostly qualitative in nature and is too imprecise to justify computation with numbers. The novel architecture assessment approach presented can be used for quantitatively evaluating potential design concepts using linguistic assesments elicited from the stakeholders. The proposed methodology provides systems engineers with the capability to exploit a system's tolerance for imprecision, to design robust, flexible, and low cost solutions.

The research presented focuses on investigating the use of Cross-Flow Fan (CFF) as a high-lift device for a Short Take-off and Landing (STOL) aircraft. The wing-embedded fan performance analysis is mostly addressed from an aerodynamic perspective and focuses on using such Active Flow Control (AFC) technology in the conceptual aircraft design process. In particular, the design trade study of an aircraft featuring the fan as a high-lift device applied to a conceptual design of a medium-range multi-purpose aircraft is performed. A sensitivity analysis is employed to investigate the impact of the technology on the aircraft weight, aerodynamics, stability and control, and fight performance. The aircraft design modifications are introduced to maximize the aircraft mission performance given the fan specifications and constraints. Results indicate a reduction of the take-of field length by 18% with the payload penalty of 14%. The aircraft ferry range is also decreased by 7% compared to the baseline aircraft design. The scaling analysis of the aircraft concept is performed to determine the potential market for such technology. The results show that a light General Aviation (GA) airplane or a medium-large size Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) could benefit more from the wing-embedded CFF compared to more heavy airplanes.

Objective: To design a novel percutaneous stented valve and model its implantation in the aorta.

Background: The dimensions of stented aortic valve components govern its ability to prevent backflow of blood into the left ventricle. Whilst the theoretical parameters for the best stent performance have already been established, an effective valve model and its suitability along with the stent are lacking.

Methods: This article discusses the design of a stented valve suitable for percutaneous aortic valve replacement. Steps involved in 3D CAD-based geometric modeling of the stented aortic valve and its implantation in the aorta are presented. Conceptual designing of individual components was used to build the total geometric model.

Results: A novel geometric model of percutaneous stented aortic valve was generated. The improved design enhances its performance during and after implantation.

Conclusion: The blunt hooks in the stent model prevent its migration in either direction by getting embedded in the aortic endothelium. This novel stent aortic valve may be of great interest to designers of future bioprosthetic heart valve models, as well as to surgeons involved in minimally invasive valve surgeries.

Vascular support structures are important devices for treating valve stenosis. Large population of patients is treated for valvular disease and the principal mode of treatment is the use of percutaneous valvuloplasty. Stent devices are proving to be an improved technology in minimal invasive cardiac surgery. This technology now accounts for 20% of treatments in Europe. This new technology provides highly effective results at minimal cost and short duration of hospitalization. During the development process, a number of specific designs and materials have come and gone, and a few have remained. Many design changes were successful, and many were not. This paper discusses the physical behavior of a hooked percutaneous aortic valve stent design using finite element analysis using a new Titanium alloy. The analysis performed in this paper may aid in understanding the stent's displacement ranges when subjected to the physiological pressures exerted by the heart and cardiac blood flow during abnormal cardiovascular conditions. It may also help to evaluate the suitability of a new titanium alloy for fabrication purposes.

High efficiency of transmutation can induce the high power density in Liquid Metal (LM)/helium gas Dual Cooled Waste Transmutation Blanket for FDS. The influence of high power density needs to be considered, when such components as first wall, MA-Zone, and the fission particle are designed. Meanwhile the numerical simulations of the thermal transfer and fluid is performed by commercial package code PHOENICS, to analyse and prove the feasibility of the component design.

The conceptual stage of the design process is characterized by a high degree of uncertainty concerning the design requirements, information and constraints. However, decisions made at this early stage have a significant influence on factors such as costs, performance, reliability, safety and environmental impact of a product. More importantly, a poorly conceived design can never be compensated for in the later stages of design. There is some controversy over the use of computers at this stage of product design. Some researchers feel that providing accuracy during this phase when solutions are imprecise, ill defined, approximate or unknown, accurate calculations impart a false sense of confidence in the validity of the solution. Others feel that maturing computer techniques with richer representations can provide invaluable assistance in specific sub-tasks of this phase. The purpose of this paper is to review advances in computational support for conceptual design from its early days to its current position. For each technique, we follow its progress from its conception to its latest status, pointing out significant variations and trends.

This paper displays the development of a mobile robot that performs Remote Explosive Scent Tracing Sampling for Humanitarian Demining using screw-drive modules. The design covers the analysis of the sampling task, conceptual design, locomotion analysis, sampling system analysis, carrier design, and controller selection. This modular mobile robot is characterized by its simplicity and its all-around body locomotion. The locomotion by means of screws allows the robot to omnidirectionally propel itself and explore harsh environments using an adequate combination of the angular speeds of each screw. A detailed study of forces present in the screw locomotion is explained. One approximation for the kinematic model was proposed and simulated with a trajectory tracking control.

To solve the problem of low product design efficiency caused by information search difficulties under the environment of information explosion, product genes research was doneon the basis of analogy with biological genetic engineering ideas. The connotation of product genes was redefined, which is more consistent with biological genes so that it is benefit for deeper study on product genes drawing on biological genetic engineering advanced technology. Operating technologies of product genes were summarized. Based on this, a product gene based approach for conceptual design of mechanical products was presented. Take corn combine harvest stalks device as an example, the design approach was verified, and the results show that the conceptual design method based on product genes greatly improved the design efficiency and shortened the product design cycle.

This research paper presents an innovative concept of a manual retractable tubular steel monopole tower for a 4 kilowatts horizontal axis wind turbine. The manual retractable wind turbine tower is designed to reduce on current high costs of wind turbine components, onsite installation and improve on small wind turbine reliability in both urban and rural areas. CAD models of the tower sections, rack and pinion gears for extension and retraction mechanism and hitch pin for locking tower sections are designed in Inventor Autodesk 3D software and optimized using TRIZ inventive tools. The extension and folding of the tower is simulated by the ANSYS workbench software to analyze the structural behavior of the hitch pin during the wind turbine operation and the stress analysis results are presented.