Framework for integrated mechanical design automation

Engineering design is an iterative process with a fundamental need for the consistent management and propagation of product dependencies. Constraint-b ased design provides a unified framework to meet this critical need, but th ere are known issues due to the complexity of the problem within three-dime nsional space. This paper presents results from a decade of research into g raph theory and numerical solution techniques to address issues such as use r comprehension and multiplicity of solutions. The proposed solution, Exten ded Variational Design Technology (VGX), utilizes an innovative Drag and Dr op user interaction paradigm to improve comprehension performance, and usab ility. It is also demonstrated that VGX technology can provide common mathe matical foundation to support flexible and integrated product design, assem bly and analysis. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.