Conceptual design for mechatronic assemblies

We have developed a tool to support computer-aided conceptual design of mechatronic assemblies in a collaborative, multi-user environment. Conceptual Understanding and Prototyping (ClJP) allows a team of design engineers, collaborating over the Internet, to develop a high-level structure-behavior-function (S-B-F) description of an assembly in a VRML-based virtual environment. Our goal is to enable users to navigate intricate Product Data Management (PDM) and case-based design knowledge-bases, providing the ability to perform design at conceptual level and have intelligent CAD tools that can draw on details from large repositories of previously archived designs.