A knowledge-based approach to integrate Fuzzy Conceptual Design Tools and MOKA into a CAD system

Nowadays, commercial Product Lifecycle Management / Computer-Aided Design (PLM/CAD) systems support only part of the conceptual design process, let alone one with uncertain and imprecise information for decision making. This situation causes cost-waste, poor design assessment, and discontinuity in the design information flow: Customer Needs (CNs) - Design Characteristics (DCs) - Design Specifications (DSs) - Key Characteristics (KCs) - Geometric Parameters (GPs). Aiming to address these issues, this paper mainly describes a proposed knowledge-based approach to integrate Fuzzy Conceptual Design Tools (FCDTs): Quality Function Deployment (QFD), fuzzy Axiomatic Design (AD), fuzzy Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) with MOKA methodology into a commercial PLM/CAD system. An example on the y-bolt component in large aircraft industry was carried out along the proposal to present a full development framework. The result presents how this novel approach and KBA system could benefit designers in a practical way.