Life originated design automation theory and technology

This paper presents Life Originated Design (LORD) automation theory to support conceptual design. Product information model based on functional surface (FS) and product data model is established. The functional pattern coding scheme is proposed to support automatic mapping from function to structure, solving the problems that are illstructure, multi-solution and uncertainty. A design automation process model is implemented. Finally, a prototype system LORD-DARFAD is developed and a product design case study demonstrates the operability and efficiency of the approach.