A SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENT FOR CONCEPTUAL MECHANISM DESIGN

This paper describes how problems in machine design can be tackled by computer modelling of the constraints that exist due to the design spe cification and the conceptual solutions themselves. The design strateg y proposed is one of identifying the most important constraints first and trying to satisfy these. This provides an acceptable solution. It is then possible to investigate less critical constraints which, in ge neral, will have the effect of improving the performance of the machin e. The case study example is taken from the food processing industry a nd involves the design of a high-speed mechanism to cut extruded dough into uniform blocks.