A new approach in solving design centering problem is presented. Like most stochastic optimization problems, optimal design centering problems have intrinsic difficulties in multivariate intergration of probability density functions. In order to avoid to avoid those difficulties, genetic algorithm and very coarse Monte Carlo simulation are used in this research. The new algorithm performs robustly while producing improved yields. This result implies that the combination of robust optimization methods and approximated simulation schemes would give promising ways for many stochastic optimizations which are inappropriate for mathematical programming.

Conventional solid or surface modeling systems cannot represent both the complete solid model and the abstract model in a unified framework. Recently, non-manifold modeling systems are proposed to solve this problem. This paper describes FlexDesigner, an open kernel system for modeling non-manifold models. It summarizes the data structure for non-manifold models, system design methodology, system modularization, and the typical characteristics of each module in the system. A data structure based on partial-topological elements is adopted to represent the relationship among topological elements. It is efficient in the usage of memory and has topological completeness compared with other published data structures. It can handle many non-manifold situations such as isolate vertices, dangling edges, dangling faces, a mixed dimensional model, and a cellular model. FlexDesigner is modularized hierarchically and designed by the object-oriented methodology for reusability. FlexDesigner is developed using the C++ and OpenGL on both SGI workstation and IBM PC.

A new method is introduced for the interpolation in NURBS Surface. This method uses the basis functions to assign the parameter values to the arbitrary set of geometric data and uses the iteration method to compute the control net. The advantages of this method are the feasible transformation of the data set to the matrix form and the effective surface generation as a result, especially to the design engineer.

In this paper, arm-type lifting mechanism which is attached under the frame of truck is analyzed. The three types of motions which are divided into rotation, pure lifting and automatic tilting motions are analyzed kinematically. These motions are visualized by computer graphics using Visual Basic. This program will be used for designer to demonstrate the arm-type lifting mechanism before making real machines. Also this program can change design parameter interactively.

Pencil-curve machining, which is a single-pass ball-end milling along a concave edge on adie surface, is widely employed in die-surface machining. The cutter-path used for pencil-curve machining, which is the trajectory of the “ball-center point” of a ball-endmill sliding along a concave-edge region on the die surface, is called pencil-curve. Presented in the paper is a pencil-curve tracing algorithm in which “concave-type” sharp edges are computed from a “virtually digitized” model of the tool-envelope surface. The resulting “initial” pencil-cures are then refuted by applying a series of fairing operations. illustrative examples and methods for enhancing accuracy are also presented. The proposed pencil-curve tracing algorithm has been successfully implemented in a commercial CAM system specialized in die-machining and in the CAD/CAM system CATIA.

A ship-block cutting module is being developed as part of a computational system for a ship design. The module supports product-information to other modules in design process and displays ship-blocks in cutting-operation. Welding-information is essential to process-planning and scheduling. In the module, ship-blocks are modeled by Plate-Objects and then divided into several cutting pieces. The module automatically creates Welding-Objects containing welding-information in the process. Since the module is connected to WWW(World Wide Web), users in various platforms can access the models simultaneously In addition, users can check manufacturing constraints by inspecting a virtual model.

Engineers need to reduce the product design time interval and deal with frequent design changes. For this purpose a design expert system has been developed where a 3D CAD system is used for the visualization of a design layout especially the car audio design. This expert system is based on the configuration design methodology, one of the design methods which emulates the engineering design process, and the parametric design method. The design methods and heuristic knowledge are represented as rules, and design parts are represented as objects with properties. After an inference process, design parameters are extracted and they are used leer the parametric design. This study focused on the shape visualization of product components in the preliminary design phase.