Rule-based design verification for mechanical parts with dynamic rule subset selection

In the product development process, it is essential to identify potential design errors in design data and correct them appropriately before production begins. This paper proposes a method for rule-based design verification of mechanical parts through dynamic selection of rule subsets. First, a knowledgebase structure centered on design features was defined to specify rules from design requirements. Then, a method was developed to dynamically compose verification functions using the verification equations contained in the selected design rules. These rules are applied to the design parameter data extracted from design data such as 3D CAD models. The proposed method allows for the easy expansion of applicable parts by simply adding the necessary rules to the knowledgebase, without changing the structure of the design rule knowledgebase or expanding the verification system. Design verification experiments were conducted on anemometers and snap-fit hooks to verify the proposed method's effectiveness. The experiments successfully performed design verification for both parts, confirming that the proposed method can be flexibly applied to various parts.