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Dipl.-Ing. Peter Binde Case Based, Self Learning Assistant for FEM Analysis in the Design Process Industry and Research Project CADFEM Usermeeting 2002 Peter Binde Slide 2 Dipl.-Ing. Peter Binde Content - Dr. Wallner Group - Motivation for a new Assistant System - Concepts for Knowledge Reuse - Analysis of Cases from Industrial Applications - Concept for the Assistant System - Integration with an CAD/FEM/PDM-System - State of the Project and open Issues Slide 3 Dipl.-Ing. Peter Binde Dr. Wallner Group Consulting and Service around CAD, CAE, PDM Competences: - Process-analyses and -syntheses - Trainings and workshops - User-support and hotline - FEA / MKS analysis and design - Integration-solutions and software-development Slide 4 Dipl.-Ing. Peter Binde Dr. Wallner Group 30 Persons, 10 Years Experience Focus on Unigraphics, iMAN Locations: Bremen Wiesbaden Stuttgart Mnchen Slide 5 Dipl.-Ing. Peter Binde Motivation for a new Assistant System Present Situation: - More and more FEA becomes the designers daily work Solution: - Store and reuse knowledge from existing FEM analysis cases Deficits: - Often special-knowledge is necessary - Use of different methods for same problems - Knowledge stays in the heads of specialists and key users - Examples and summarised methods are only static - Databases organize data, but do not know about the content Slide 6 Dipl.-Ing. Peter Binde Concepts for Knowledge Reuse Classification of Systems: a)Product configuration systems: intelligent assembly structures Intelligent parts Intelligent FEM-models b)Process modellers and wizards: Guide through a special process c)Systems providing the actual knowledge in context to the actual stage of design Automatically documenting of included knowledge Slide 7 Dipl.-Ing. Peter Binde Concepts for Knowledge Reuse Knowledge Management using Semantics and Features Features model design characteristics Example Feature Weld point: included information: - Group of involved elements - Connectivity to geometry - Strength requirements - Tolerances - Costs - Manufacturing processes... Advantage: Weld point can be processed as a weld point. Slide 8 Dipl.-Ing. Peter Binde Concepts for Knowledge Reuse Knowledge Management using Semantics and Features We try to build up models only by use of features This method automatically captures knowledge CAD Features (1) Sketch (2) Revolved (3) Pocket (4) Pocket (5) Hole (6) Threads FEM Features Fixed Face Centrifugal Load Concentrated Mass Stress Tool Fatigue Tool Slide 9 Dipl.-Ing. Peter Binde Concepts for Knowledge Reuse Rule based versus case based approaches Rule basedCase based Content: RulesCases Solving:Applying / Finding, interpreting combining rules and adapting most similar case Learning:Applying new rulesApplying new cases Novice: Applies rules Expert: Applies experience from past cases Slide 10 Dipl.-Ing. Peter Binde Concepts for Knowledge Reuse Case based Method: Case Based Reasoning (CBR) Retrieval of relevant cases Selection of most appropriate cases Creation of a solution by adapting knowledge Validation of the new solution, by questioning the user Storing a solution in the case base Focus today Case Base Slide 11 Dipl.-Ing. Peter Binde Analysis of Cases from Industrial Applications About 100 cases are analysed for their characteristics Goal: - Find a way to classify FEA cases - Find a way to store case knowledge - Find a similarity measure - Prove transferability of case knowledge Results:- Classification by design characteristics - Features describe design characteristics Hierarchy of design characteristics - Similarity can be found by comparison of features - Case knowledge can be transferred - Result depends strongly on the use of semantics and features Slide 12 Dipl.-Ing. Peter Binde Concept for the Assistant System Concept for the Information-model FEA Application Case: Includes Knowledge Elements Task 1 Solution 1 Solution 6Solution 7... Solution 5 Solution 2Solution 3Solution 4 Task 2 Assembled Task 1 Admin-Data Knowl. Pattern: References stored in a Database Admin-Data Assemb.-Task Task Slide 13 Dipl.-Ing. Peter Binde Integration with an CAD/FEM/PDM-System Storing an analysis case in the case base: Slide 14 Dipl.-Ing. Peter Binde Integration with an CAD/FEM/PDM-System Retrieving similar cases from the case base: Example Problem Characteristic: Convection on a exhaust pipe 1) User defines the problem as far as he can by use of CAD / FEM features, 2) He selects the interesting characteristics, 3) He asks for similar cases. Slide 15 Dipl.-Ing. Peter Binde Integration with an CAD/FEM/PDM-System Retrieving similar cases: 4) The system searches for similar characteristics in the case base 5) It shows the datasets of the found cases in a folder Slide 16 Dipl.-Ing. Peter Binde State of the Project and open Issues At present:- State of initial Implementation - Users are limited to consultants of Dr. Wallner Group - Client server model, based on an iMAN-Web Portal - Users are allowed to retrieve cases as well as providing new cases via the www. Future: - Use for FEM-trainings - Opened for customers Case Base iMAN Web Server Oracle Database Knowledge Patterns iMAN Vol Location Bremen iMAN Vol Customer Location Wiesbaden Location Stuttgart Location Mnchen Assistant System Slide 17 Dipl.-Ing. Peter Binde VIELEN DANK!