TOWARDS KNOWLEDGE INTENSIVE DESIGN SUPPORT FOR THE MICRO SURGICAL DOMAIN
DS 48: Proceedings DESIGN 2008, the 10th International Design Conference, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Year: 2008
Editor: Marjanovic D., Storga M., Pavkovic N., Bojcetic N.
Author: Grech, A. K.; Borg, J. C.
Section: Advanced design methods
Page(s): 627 - 634
Abstract
This paper, which is part of ongoing research, proposes a framework for a knowledge intensive computer aided design (KICAD) tool that will be able to aid designers working in the micro surgical domain. As the name suggests, the KICAD tool is ‘knowledge intensive’ meaning that life-cycle knowledge regarding parts and design processes is incorporated within the CAD architecture. The knowledge gathered from different stakeholders involved in the different life-cycle phases is gathered and represented in computational form as ‘rules’. The KICAD tool works as follows: a) the designer selects a number of design elements from the library such as the material, micro processing technique, product design element (part to be designed) and the required feature; b) based on the designer’s decisions, the component life model starts to be evolved within the working memory of the system and c) this is monitored by LCC knowledge from the knowledge base. LCCs are evolved informing the designer about the consequences and recommendations are also given; d) while in the meantime the performance measures of time, cost and quality are evaluated for the different life-cycle phases via performance mapping knowledge. These performance measures fluctuate depending on the consequences inferred.
Keywords: minimally invasive surgery, stakeholder feedback