Using axiomatic design with the design recovery framework to provide a platform for subsequent design modifications

Effective reverse engineering consists of recovering the product or component forms, features, feature interrelationships and functions. A systematic approach is adopted in a comprehensive manner to extract the relevant information and transform it into relevant design knowledge. A design recovery framework for reverse engineering an engineered component is presented in this paper, which provides a multi-level roadmap to allow the functional, structural and data information to be accumulated at different levels of resolution. Gathering this information in a structured manner and using axiomatic design techniques allows the designer to make informed decisions as to whether the current component design is adequate, or how may it be modified to add value and/or address the present set of design and manufacturing constraints. A case study is presented that highlights the design recovery procedures, and how these techniques coupled with the axiomatic design methodologies provide a platform for subsequent design modifications.