Collaborative design recovery framework

Abstract

Full design recovery aims at reproducing an existing object by analysing its dimensions, features, form and properties. The collected data and information must be transformed into pertinent product knowledge at the system, embodiment and detail levels. This requires a coordinated, collaborative effort to collect and analyse the data and other available information. A thorough analysis of the environment must be conducted in order to determine the functional requirements, infer the original needs, and deduce the form and fit features for the part of interest. Cases may exist where the existing part needs to be based on a new set of manufacturing or operating constraints. The modular structure of the design recovery framework can be extended to capture data from several components, so that key information can be extracted and utilized in the design and manufacture of the replacement component. To address these issues, an integrated and systematic framework for design recovery of mechanical parts is proposed. An example is presented that illustrates the application of the proposed approach.

Keywords:

• Design recovery framework
• Collaboration
• Functional requirements
• Reverse engineering
• Engineering redesign