Knowledge-Based CAD

摘要

Since their introduction in the eighties, Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) systems have become ubiquitous among design engineers. From costly systems with simple interactive geometric capabilities, CAD systems have evolved into affordable but sophisticated tools that automate many aspects of design documentation and retrieval. The development of even routine designs, however, has still been a manual (and often tedious) process. These first generation CAD tools have provided gains in drafting productivity of 50% to 200% in repetitive design applications.This article describes the history and evolution of a new kind of knowledge-based CAD system, Design++. By providing significant new capabilities to support both the development and documentation of design solutions, Design++ increases productivity in design projects by 10 to 15 times, freeing engineers to make fuller use of their skills and creativity.Design++ allows storage and reuse of engineering knowledge, supports engineering teamwork and concurrent engineering, enables what-if experimentation, integrates engineering disciplines, and automates generation of documents, including drawings, parts lists, and specifications.