Agent-Based Distributed Conceptual Design of Virtual Prototyping for Complex Products

Abstract

Integrating and sharing multidisciplinary model data and improving robusticity and validity of product conceptual design system in distributed environment is one of the key technical problems in Virtual Prototype design and simulation of complex products. After long time research on multi-agent systems, an agent-based product conceptual design system combining XML and Web Service technology was proposed, system architecture, communication style and system workflow were illustrated. Further more it discussed product conceptual design development process, decision arithmetic and gave a unified intelligent agent group form for electronic, software and control systems involved in virtual prototyping product conceptual design, realized a service-oriented, supporting distributed, heterogeneous and multi-field collaborative product conceptual design supporting platform.