Generative Component Consolidation for Mechanical Assembly Simplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex mechanical assemblies face challenges in meeting both design and engineering criteria due to their intricate supply chains, which are prone to inefficiencies, leading to increased overhead and delays when simplified designs are modified to comply with design criteria.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that uses a design engine to consolidate components by determining groups to be replaced with newly generated geometry, optimizing the design to meet both design and engineering criteria, thereby simplifying the assembly while maintaining compliance with original specifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the design of a complex mechanical assembly is simplified by reducing the number of components, then the supply chain complexity is reduced and overhead decreases, but the design may no longer meet the original design criteria
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple mechanical components into a single integrated component using generative design. The system identifies a group of components, generates a volumetric region encompassing them, subdivides the region, and creates consolidated geometry that combines the functions of multiple components into one, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining design criteria compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses generative design to optimize geometric parameters of the consolidated component. By adjusting parameters such as material distribution, structural topology, and geometric configuration within the volumetric region, the system maintains functional requirements and design criteria while achieving component consolidation and reduced complexity
2Device complexity
If multiple components are consolidated into a single component, then the number of suppliers and supply chain length is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity of the consolidated component increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent subdivides the volumetric region into multiple subdivisions during the generative design process. This segmentation allows the complex consolidated component to be designed in manageable sections, facilitating manufacturing planning and execution while maintaining the overall consolidation benefit of reduced supply chain complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The generative design process creates locally optimized geometry within each subdivision of the volumetric region. By tailoring the structural properties and material distribution to specific local requirements, the consolidated component achieves manufacturability while maintaining the functional integration of multiple original components
Data Source
AI summary
A design engine consolidates portions of a mechanical assembly design to reduce the number of components included in the design. The design engine analyzes the design to determine various criteria associated with the assembly. Then, the design engine identifies a group of components within the design to be consolidated. The design engine determines a volumetric region where the group of components resides and then subdivides the volumetric region. The design engine then initiates a generative design process based on the determined criteria to create geometry within each subdivision of the volumetric region. The newly generated geometry includes fewer components than the initial group of components. The design engine then replaces the group of components with the newly generated geometry, thereby consolidating the group and reducing the total number of components included in the design.