Virtual Integration Platform
A platform that provides an integrated environment
and enables different types of software tools to operate
in a unified and holistic manner
Alex Duffy
alex.duffy@strath.ac.uk
+44 (0)141 548 3005
Overview
• Background and evolution
– 4 virtual integration platforms
• VIP key features, including
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Tool integration
Project management
Collaborative support
Version management
Data management
Global multi-disciplinary optimisation
Background
• CAD Centre established in 1986
• Overall objective:
To develop a fully integrated computing environment
that supports design and its management
based upon
fundamental knowledge of design.
IDA - 1984
Designer:
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
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
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Control
Define
Direct
Inquire
Judge
Question
Specify
IDA:
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“Intelligent
interface”
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Adapt
Calculate
Evolve
Explain
Guide
Learn
Model
–© Alex Duffy, University of Strathclyde
Integrated Design Environment (IDE) - 1984
IDA
IDA
IDA
IDA
IDA
IDA
IDA
IDA
Team
TeamManager
Manager
– AI and Knowledge
Based Techniques
Past
Past
Designs
Designs
Common
Common
Model
Model
Concept
Concept
Models
Models
Design
Design
Model
Model
– Product & Knowledge
Modelling
Prototypes
– Design Co-ordination,
Management and
Performance
– Design Re-use &
Machine Learning
Research Evolution
Configuration
Phase - 1
Configuration
Phase -2
Functionality
Layout re-use
& synthesis
Spatial
design
Numerical
design
Concept
Modelling
Geometric
Conceptualisation
Concep’tn
& Synthesis
Concept
Re-use
Geometric
Abstraction
Design K.
Modelling
Design
Learning
Design
Management
1982
1986
Customised
Viewpoints
1990
Sketching
Multi-view
Modelling
Learning
in Design
1998
Collective
Learning
Process
Optimisation
Design
Performance
1994
Modular
Design
Operational
Co-ordination
Method/Tool
Utilisation
Design
Co-ordination
Scheduling
Rendering
2000
Performance
mining
2002
IDA/
IDE
Evolution
Strathclyde has developed collaborative support, a Virtual Integration
Platform (VIP) within a number of significant research projects:
NEUTRABAS, 01/04/1989 – 31/03/1992:
• Neutral Product Definition Database for Large Multifunctional Systems.
• First European project aimed at an international standard
based on ISO standard 10303 (STEP).
• Contributed first generation of shipbuilding product
models.
• Gained first experiences in implementing databases
exploiting the STEP standard.
• Valuable contribution to international standardisation
in the area of product data exchange technologies.
• Tested the viability of the ISO/STEP/CAD*I approach
for complex multi-functional products.
Evolution
Strathclyde has developed collaborative support, a Virtual Integration
Platform (VIP) within a number of significant research projects
Co-ordinator: 12M€ EU funded FP5
project. 37 partners across industry,
consultancy, academia.
Aim to develop platform for distributed
through life design.
WP Leader: 18M€ EU funded FP6
project. 23 partners across
industry, consultancy, academia.
Aim to develop platform to
integrate distributed CFD.
Partner: 18M€ EU funded FP6
project. 52 partners across
industry, consultancy, academia.
Aim to develop risk-based
decision support platform.
–VRShips – ROPAX 2000
Topic leader: £8.4M joint BAE Systems
& EPSRC funded project.
Network Enabled Capability Through
Innovative Systems Engineering
DS team is developing an Integrated
Decision Support Environment (IDSE).
–VIRTUE
–SAFEDOR
Co-ordinator: £1.2M EU funded FP7 coordination
and support project. 18 partners in 11 countries.
Aim to promote maritime collaboration through
Virtual Integration Platform.
–NECTISE
–EuroVIP
–2000–2001–2002–2003–2004–2005–2006–2007–2008–2009–2010–2011–2012–2013–2014
VIP - Main features
• OS Independent
• Distributed tools integration
• Support for multiple user types
• Collaborative environment
• Project/Process management
• Visualisation of tool input and output
• Consistency management
• Version management
• Version parameter graphs
• Enable multiple results visualisation
• Global optimisation
• Data and knowledge management
OS Independent
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Compatible with a variety of
OS/platforms
– MS Windows, Linux, Mac, UNIX
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Delivers flexible protocol and
communication mechanisms that enable
systems to communicate across
– Different operating systems
– Different programming languages
Distributed tool integration
Distributed tools can be integrated to
the same workflow in the VIP Bringing the best expertise together
Define project and process
• Follow the link below to watch the video of creating a
project by using an available process:
http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=3a5oXAElRms
Easy plug in & play
• Disparate tools can be readily integrated through their
inputs and outputs, and a new configuration tool.
Link tool executable
Select inputs
Select outputs
Example of integrated tools/software/code
CFD tools
Optimisation tools
CFX11
EOLE
HEXPRESS
COMET
FreSCo
RAPID
nuShallo SURSIM
modeFrontier
GMS
FS-Framework
Michlet
Risk based design tools
Precal
Abaqus
CAD tools
Visualisation tools
Amira
Tecplot
Flooding module
SolidWorks
AutoCAD
FS-Modeller
FREE!ship
NAPA
Rhino
HydroCAD
Fire module
Cost module
Project management
Project versions
displayed within a tree
Tools that each user has
integrated can be used within
project on an ad-hoc basis.
Dependency network
shows consistency
state of all data for
project version.
VIP users get the same real-time view of the project
showing versions and dependency network.
Visualisation of tool input and output
Tools
Parameters
Input files Output/input files
Transformations
User management
Support for multiple user types:
• Project manager
 Create projects
 Create processes
 Monitor project status
• Specialist user
 Configure processes
 Perform tasks
 Monitor project status
User management
User Status:
Online
User A
Online – same project
User C
Online
Offline
User D
User B
VIP tracks user status and notifies other users when status changes
– enhanced visualisation of collaboration
Consistency management
Consistency monitoring through the colouring of files
and parameters - enable harmonious data among
users and different disciplines/suppliers.
Green – Consistent
Red – Inconsistent
Grey – Locked
Consistency management
User A
User A responsible for design
work and risk analysis.
User B
User B responsible for cost
analysis.
Consistency management
User A
User A responsible for design
work and risk analysis.
User B
User B responsible for cost
analysis.
Consistency management
User A
User A responsible for design
work and risk analysis.
User B
User B responsible for cost
analysis.
Consistency management
User A
User A responsible for design
work and risk analysis.
User B
User B responsible for cost
analysis.
Consistency management
User A
User A responsible for design
work and risk analysis.
User B
User B responsible for cost
analysis.
Project execution
• Follow the link below to watch the video of execution of
a process within a project:
http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=rrF0O4FeP7M
Version management
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Different versions of inputs and output results can be
easily managed by VIP.
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Results related with particular version of
files can be searched/explored.
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Increased work traceability
through backtracking related
versions of data & results.
Graph view of version parameter data
Spider graph
XY graph
Correlation graph
Different version results
can be searched and explored.
Version management
• Follow the link below to watch the video of creating a
different version of a process within a project:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
sntDAfm-6io&feature=relmfu
Enable multiple results visualisation
Visual representations of multiple results
can be viewed and compared simultaneously.
Enable multiple results visualisation
Specific results can be viewed and compared
simultaneously using different software.
Local optimisation
Multiple objectives and criteria optimisation
Variable
VIP optimiser
Optimise hull form with objectives of:
– Minimal resistance
– Lowest possible power
– Lowest fuel consumption
– Minimised operational cost
– Minimised environmental effects
Final
Version
Baseline
Final
Version
Baseline
Global optimisation
Multiple disciplinary aspects of the design can be
optimised through the VIP.
For example: optimising the hull for stress, the bulb for wave
resistance, and the propeller to minimise cavitation.
Hull
Bulb
Propeller
Pitch 0.0
Pitch 0.15
Data management
Database server stores project meta data.
Central index system for distributed data:
– Reduced database size
– Keep data consistent
– Reduced network traffic volume
Reuse
• Process template can be saved and reused.
Superstructure 1
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Superstructure 2
Design evolution through version control.
Deploy once, deliver anytime;
Process time saving 67%; Error free enactment
Summary of VIP main features
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Can be used for any application
Bring the best expertise/resource together
Independent of OS – Linux, Windows, Mac
Enhanced visualisation of collaboration
Integrate distributed tools
Support for multiple user types
Enable harmonious data among
different aspects of ship design and users
Provide a collaborative environment
Manage multiple projects
Enhanced information traceability
Visualisation of tool input and output
Real-time visualisation of
Keep consistency among different discipline
projects and processes
Manage multiple versions of project data
Version parameter graphs
Reduced database size /
network traffic volume
Enable multiple results visualisation
Enable global optimisation of ship design
Deploy once, deliver anytime
Central index system & distributed management
Process time saving 67%
Error free enactment
Manage process and version knowledge
VIP has been used in: