Purpose

Complex mechanical 3D computer-aided design (CAD) model embodies rich implicit design knowledge. Through discovering the key function parts and key function module in 3D CAD assembly model in advance, it can promote the designers’ understanding and reuse efficiency of 3D assembly model in design reuse.

Design/methodology/approach

An approach for discovering key function module in complex mechanical 3D CAD assembly model is proposed. First, assembly network for 3D CAD assembly model is constructed, where the topology structure characteristics of 3D assembly model are analyzed based on complex network centrality. The degree centrality, closeness centrality, betweenness centrality and mutual information of node are used to evaluate the importance of the parts in 3D assembly model. Then, a multi-attribute decision model for part-node importance is established, and the comprehensive evaluation for key function parts in 3D assembly model is accomplished by combining Analytic Hierarchy Process and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Subsequently, a community discovery of function module in assembly model-based Clauset–Newman–Moore (CNM)-Centrality is given in details. Finally, 3D CAD assembly model of worm gear reducer is taken as an example to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of proposed method.

Findings

The key function part in CAD assembly model is evaluated comprehensively considering assembly topology more objectively. In addition, the key function module containing key function part is discovered from CAD assembly model by using CNM-Centrality-based community discovery.

Practical implications

The approach can be used for discovering important design knowledge from complex CAD assembly model when reusing the assembly model. It can help designers capture and understand the design thinking and intent, improve the reuse efficiency and quality.

Originality/value

The paper first proposes an approach for discovering key function module in complex mechanical 3D CAD assembly model taking advantage of complex network theory, where the key function part is evaluated using node centrality and TOPSIS, and the key function module is identified based on community discovery.

中文翻译：

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复杂机械3D CAD装配模型中关键功能模块的发现用于设计重用

目的

复杂的机械 3D 计算机辅助设计 (CAD) 模型体现了丰富的隐含设计知识。通过提前发现3D CAD装配模型中的关键功能部件和关键功能模块，可以提高设计人员在设计重用中对3D装配模型的理解和重用效率。

设计/方法/方法

提出了一种在复杂机械3D CAD装配模型中发现关键功能模块的方法。首先构建了3D CAD装配模型的装配网络，分析了基于复杂网络中心性的3D装配模型的拓扑结构特征。节点的度中心性、接近中心性、介数中心性和互信息用于评估零件在3D装配模型中的重要性。然后，建立了零件节点重要性的多属性决策模型，结合层次分析法和理想解相似度排序技术（TOPSIS），完成了对3D装配模型中关键功能零件的综合评价。随后，详细给出了基于装配模型的Clauset-Newman-Moore (CNM)-Centrality中功能模块的社区发现。最后以蜗轮蜗杆减速器3D CAD装配模型为例，验证了所提方法的有效性和可行性。

发现

对CAD装配模型中的关键功能部分进行了综合评价，更加客观地考虑装配拓扑。此外，利用基于CNM-Centrality的社区发现，从CAD装配模型中发现包含关键功能部件的关键功能模块。

实际影响

该方法可用于在重用装配模型时从复杂的CAD装配模型中发现重要的设计知识。它可以帮助设计人员捕捉和理解设计思想和意图，提高复用效率和质量。

原创性/价值

本文首先利用复杂网络理论提出了一种在复杂机械3D CAD装配模型中发现关键功能模块的方法，该方法利用节点中心性和TOPSIS对关键功能部分进行评估，并基于社区发现来识别关键功能模块。