Exploring Design Content in CAD-Models and Knowledge Bases Using Graph Theory and Filtering

This paper focus on what types of relations exist within CAD-models and in KBE-systems connected to them. It describes how engineering knowledge stored in CAD-models and KBEsystems can be analysed through the application of graph theory, visualization and filtering. The paper is organised as follows: First the information models for CAD-models and KBEsystems are introduced and graph theory in connection with these information models is presented. The theory is then applied to a real case which is a CAD-model that was automated using a commercial KBE-system where the number of rules made it hard to engineers to grasp the model. By applying the concepts presented in this paper it was possible to identify critical design parameters and to inspect the logical model of the product.