Table of Contents

Preface to the second edition. Preface to the first edition. The design process. An overview. Computer-aided design and manufacture (CAD and CAM). The relationship between activity, weight, control and role. Product constraints. User-machine interactions. Proposed design approach. Design theory. Fundamental requirements. Spatial associations. Functional associations. Local space modelling. Logical spaces. Interpretive geometric models. System configuration. Software. Hardware. Drawing office procedures. Space allocation and role. Application of HERMS (Hierarchical Engineering Records Management System). Integration and control procedures. Application examples. Mechanical functions of performance. The functional design of mechanisms. Kinematic modelling. Dynamic modelling. Conclusions. Developments in constraint modelling. General problem solving approach. Constraint modelling. Set structures. An optimization approach. Interfacing graphics with the constraints. Current applications and future developments. Introduction. Demonstration of designing simple assemblies. Model spaces and their use in mechanism simulation. The prediction of mechanism performance from a sensitivity analysis. Intelligent communications between CAD and manufacturing activities. Networks in the description of the design to manufacturing process. Further reading. Index.

Reviews

`...the book is well structured in its presentation and coverage of design theory. The holistic approach to design and the principles of constraint modelling are explained clearly and unambiguously...The book is well laid out and easy to assimilate (owing to its structured content) with a good index...the book is a worthwhile text, if only for its coverage of design theory and CAD process'- Int. Journal of Production Research