This paper presents a novel framework for managing design processes using a formal grammar as the theoretical foundation to represent, manipulate and execute design processes. The grammatical approach allows designers to represent a complex activity concisely with a small number of higher-level tasks and to explore alternative processes within a space of feasible alternatives. These capabilities allow the engineers to “visualize” the design process so that they can fully understand the alternative methods before making any design decisions. The framework, called MIDAS, includes separate layers for process specification and execution. Using the process specification layer, designers can capture the overall design process and each designer can understand his or her task with respect to the whole design process. In the process execution layer, design tasks are executed according to the information in specification layer so that designers can be informed of the current design status, alternative design methods, and their impacts in a whole design process. The framework has the potential to improve design productivity by accessing, reusing, and revising previous processes for a similar design. We use a gearbox design process to demonstrate the framework.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
September 2002
Technical Papers
Making Process Visible: A Grammatical Approach to Managing Design Processes
Moon Jung Chung,
Moon Jung Chung
Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
**
Search for other works by this author on:
Patrick Kwon,
Patrick Kwon
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Search for other works by this author on:
Brian T. Pentland
Brian T. Pentland
Department of Accounting and Information Systems, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Search for other works by this author on:
Moon Jung Chung
**
Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Patrick Kwon
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Brian T. Pentland
Department of Accounting and Information Systems, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Contributed by the Design Theory & Methodology Committee for publication in the JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL DESIGN. Manuscript received November 1998. Associate Editor: J. Cagon.
J. Mech. Des. Sep 2002, 124(3): 364-374 (11 pages)
Published Online: August 6, 2002
Article history
Received:
November 1, 1998
Online:
August 6, 2002
Citation
Chung, M. J., Kwon, P., and Pentland, B. T. (August 6, 2002). "Making Process Visible: A Grammatical Approach to Managing Design Processes ." ASME. J. Mech. Des. September 2002; 124(3): 364–374. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1487358
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
DeepJEB: 3D Deep Learning-Based Synthetic Jet Engine Bracket Dataset
J. Mech. Des (April 2025)
Design and Justice: A Scoping Review in Engineering Design
J. Mech. Des (May 2025)
Related Articles
Grammar-Based Designer Assistance Tool for Epicyclic Gear Trains
J. Mech. Des (September,2004)
Axiomatic Design of Mechanical Systems
J. Mech. Des (June,1995)
Axiomatic Design of Mechanical Systems
J. Vib. Acoust (June,1995)
A Grammar-Based Framework for Integrating Design and Manufacturing
J. Manuf. Sci. Eng (November,2002)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Information Technology in Operation Analysis
International Conference on Mechanical and Electrical Technology, 3rd, (ICMET-China 2011), Volumes 1–3
Application of Struts+Spring+Hibernate Integrate Technology in Agency Bookkeeping Business Management System
International Conference on Mechanical and Electrical Technology, 3rd, (ICMET-China 2011), Volumes 1–3
Relation B Business Management and Protection Measures from the Aspect of Methodology to Define an Index Effectiveness
International Conference on Instrumentation, Measurement, Circuits and Systems (ICIMCS 2011)