Form synthesis at early embodiment design stage: A computer-aided method to model preliminary embodiment designs

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Different aspects of the use of parametric 3D CAD software, e. g. "circumscribed thinking" or the WIMP user interface, limit the creativity of the product developer and consequently the scope of the preliminary embodiment designs. Thus the software does not represent an optimal tool for form synthesis at early embodiment design stage. Simultaneously the early, computer-aided creation of preliminary embodiment designs incorporates enormous potential to improve the product quality. In terms of frontloading, the product as well as its functionality and quality could be ensured earlier in the design process, if the geometry information - in contrast to hand-drawn sketches - would be available in a computational form. Based on this consideration the research question of this project emerges: How must a computational method look like to support the product developer in creative form design at early embodiment design stage?A frequently used approach is the utilisation of natural forms of interaction in Virtual Reality. Although research with the objective to integrate CAD and VR – especially in context of freeform creation – exists, no attention is paid to the interaction through natural, tacit knowledge based user interfaces as well as to form design of preliminary embodiment designs starting with effective areas and effective bodies. Therefore the central objective of the two-year research project is to provide a universal method that allows an earlier computer support of the product developer in the creative preparation of form design studies and preliminary embodiment designs through a functional procedure in terms of VDI 2221 Step 5. The method contains a modular kit with form design elements. These elements serve as basic building blocks for the creation of preliminary embodiment designs. For the interaction with virtual models, an existing user interface for natural finger interaction is used. This was implemented in the research demonstration system "i 3 VR" at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. In order to achieve the central objective, four sub-objectives are necessary. Thereof the content of the four work packages is derived. The structure of the work programme and work packages follows the Design Research Methodology (DRM) from Blessing and Chakrabarti.The expected scientific finding resulting from this research project is evidence about the suitability of a computer-aided method for form synthesis of preliminary embodiment designs using natural forms of interaction and stereoscopic visualisation.