WHY MECHANICAL DESIGN CANNOT BE LIKE VLSI DESIGN

It is widely agreed that the design methods and computer support of VL SI design are generally more mature than those of mechanical items. Wh y is this so, and is there any hope of the gap being significantly clo sed? This paper argues that there are fundamental reasons, that is, re asons based on natural phenomena, that keep mechanical design from app roaching the ideal of VLSI design methods. The argument is accompanied by examples and brief histories of the evolution of VLSI design metho ds and attempts to systemize mechanical design. Brief attention is als o given to the paradoxical fact that VLSI design itself is currently r eceding from the ideal and taking on the paver and problems of mechani cal design. This paper is based on several reports and working papers with limited circulation. The one relied on primarily is Whitney et al . (C.S. Draper Lab Report R-2577, Dec., 1993). The author wishes to ac knowledge the contributions of his co-authors of that report. He also acknowledges the many discussions he had with people mentioned in the footnotes who enriched his approach to this topic.