| The objective of this research is to develop a framework for capture and retrieval of engineering design information. The framework is eventually intended to support the following applications: collaborative design, change propagation, constraint maintenance, design re-use, and design process management, control, and analysis. Part of the data is assumed to be entered by the designer into the developed design information system (DIS), while another resides in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) models, text files, and databases, scattered throughout a heterogeneous distributed computing environment.; A taxonomy of DISs was created in order to study the characteristics of generic approaches proposed in the literature. Further, the information contents and functional requirements and some specifics of the software environment for the design information framework are clarified. The latter include specifics of CAD and other software products from the viewpoint of their "integration potential" (i.e., the ease of exchanging data and services with other software components).; The proposed model-based and content-based approach to design information capture uses an object-oriented data model. A reduced affinity method is used to identify the major entity classes. They are: Product Data; Design Processes; Organizational Units; and Sources of Information. The design rationale is represented using a specialization of the IBIS (Issue Based Information System) method as pros and cons for each entity selection made.; The conceptual data model is further mapped onto a physical-level data model. It allows a uniform handling of both data and schema information. In particular, the proposed object extension mechanism allows to reduce data redundancy when describing an evolving product model. To demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed model, a prototype DIS is developed. It can be subdivided from a functional viewpoint into database and user interface managers and application modules. A three-tier implementation architecture both for the shared database and for the user interface manager is proposed. World-Wide Web (WWW) protocols are used to implement distributed data and method access.; The applicability of the developed framework is verified by recording sample data from a representative design project. |
