Research of 3D general parts library based on Knowledge Template

Product design is a knowledge-intensive process. In this paper Knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) and CAD are combined by template to realize intelligent design. Knowledge Templates (KT) are also established to develop general parts library. This KT is very suitable for general parts library development, because it can easily provide the product information, control parts size or model shape, and regulate the topology structure of an assembly. An applied case is proposed by taking hanger frame design of the supercritical boiler as an example to validate the general parts library. The KT for hanger design contains all the information of the general part manual. It can also be easily loaded into the totality design of hanger frame. This method meets the needs of constant revision of hanger frame and the design cycle is shortened greatly.