Imaginal design methodology in mechanical industry

The whole mechanical design process is redefined with image representing each key conception and procedure. Image is considered to be the basic element in design process and also a medium for bridging the gap between the human and machine design. Besides, the knowledge and experience on which mechanical design is strongly based are described as a store of high dimensional images in human mind and how an engineering problem is solved by interaction between human knowledge and computer is elaborated from an imaginal angle. This paper presents a novel design methodology revealing that design is accomplished by processing of images containing design information and illustrates its effectiveness by an example concerning partial design of a pipe cutting machine based on imaginal methodology.