CONCEPT DATABASE: A Design Information System
for Concurrent Engineering with Application to
Mechatronics Design
The Concept Database is a multimedia conceptual design tool. Its goal is to provide design teams
with easy access to information with regard to life cycle design issues for competing design
concepts and access to relevant past designs and other informatio databases of the engineering
enterprise. The Concept Database methodology provides "smart navigation" through a hypermedia
database of linked design concepts. Such a system expands the amount of information available to
the designer and other members of the product development team in a manner that is selective,
using search techniques that are based on heuristic, deterministic, and decision-analytic methods.
Prescriptive design methodologies are used to develop the structure of the search in order to
guarantee that the full range of life cycle issues are considered and to provide a framework for
making design decisions that take account of multipled often conflicting life cycle objectives.
Mechatronic design is the domain of our first prototype system. Mechatronic design is an area of
key strategic importance, playing an important role in the design of consumer products, computer
peripherals, auto ation systems, and aerospace and defense systems. It is also an area where
off-the-shelf component selection is essential, and one in which the expertise crosses departmental
boundaries; electronic design, mechanical design, interface design, supplier co rdination,
packaging, logistics and support are all involved in the realization of a good mechatronic system
design. The prototype for this system is being developed for electric motor selection, an interesting
domain because of the range of applications or motors in general and for a specific motor, the
rapidly changing technology of motors and applications, and the importance of motors as
components within embedded computing/mechatronic applications.