A New Methodology for the Development of Simulation Workflows: Moving Beyond MOKA

One of the main challenges in Multi-disciplinary Design Optimisation (MDO) is the interoperability of heterogeneous simulation tools. Some researches have reported that, due to these interoperability issues, only around 20% of the product development time is spent on analyses and creative design tasks. Clearly, there is a lot to gain, when it comes to improving this figure. Key to the success of MDO is Knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) and Simulation Workflow Management (SWFM) technologies. However, developing KBE and SWFM applications requires a substantial amount of programming knowledge and expertise. Due to these constraints, the technologies are less accessible to non-programmers. Additionally, there is an increased risk that applications may become black boxes when it is not clear what knowledge went into the application. This complicates sharing and reusing knowledge in future projects. Therefore, a methodology is needed to avoid these complications. MOKA, the most well-known methodology for developing KBE applications, focuses on the KBE side rather than SWFM side of design systems. Therefore, a new methodology is developed that covers SWFM. Meanwhile, the aim is to reduce the amount of required expertise for modelling simulation workflows. The methodology presents new step-by-step instructions to guide engineers in the modelling process. Furthermore, the methodology introduces new forms, the Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN), and an N2 notation to capture and structure process knowledge. This knowledge is then formalised (i.e. translated to a format which is closer to computer language) before the workflow is automatically generated in Optimus, a SWFM system for building executable workflows. For this purpose, a new integration framework has been developed, based on the Integrated Design and Engineering Architecture (IDEA), which evolved from the Design and Engineering Engine (DEE). The new framework couples a Knowledge Base (KB), product (KBE) and process (SWFM) tools. Reducing the required expertise is achieved by introducing High-Level Activities (HLA). Capturing lower-level knowledge in these HLAs allows for inexperienced engineers to model workflows at a higher abstraction level. Meanwhile, a new parametric high-level workflow has been designed, that enables engineers to optimise KBE product models without actually modelling a workflow. Both the HLAs and the parametric workflow are used in several use cases involving a packaging design optimisation and an MDO workflow for thermoplastic injection moulding. In the end, this work has delivered tools, methods, and a framework that increases transparency of SWFM applications, saves development time, and reduces required expertise to model simulation workflows.