Development of bespoke design methodologies to make them recognizable to designers working in a speci c engineering domain is a requirement to making them more acceptable. Application of domain-speci c design methodologies by industry will promote the adoption of systematic design, bringing with it the inherent advantages of adopting a systematic approach. This paper examines the development of a domain-speci c methodology for uid power systems, a specialist design discipline within mechanical engineering, and describes the implementation of the methodology within a computerized design support tool. Key technical and methodological features of the design tool are described with speci c reference to the knowledge capture and representation processes employed. As such, the need for design theory to be adapted to meet the needs of speci c engineering domains within industry is demonstrated.

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Fluid power system design is a skilful and complex task requiring significant practical experience and heuristic knowledge gained over many years. Industries specifying and/or designing fluid power systems in their products are at risk should they lose key personnel with this knowledge. This problem is compounded by a lack of formal training at the graduate level, creating a shortfall in qualified fluid power designers. Design support tools that assist and guide designers in their work, as part of a Concurrent Engineering approach, should be capable of providing both good practice guidance and a framework into which product specific information can be stored for later reuse. This paper discusses the early development of a fluid power system design tool that seeks to offer this support using a methodology developed in hypermedia.

Fluid Power systems design is a skilful and complex task requiring significant practical experience and heuristic knowledge gained over many years. With few formal Fluid Power design courses being taught in further and higher education, both academia and industry are seeking new methods of delivering this specialist knowledge. The Internet opens up low-cost, low-risk training opportunities for companies, particularly Small-to-Medium Enterprises, which may not be able to afford to send their staff on residential courses, and also for employees seeking career development within the context of lifelong learning. This paper describes the early stages of a project to develop an open, domain-independent, Java-based framework for the delivery of multimedia training. This framework forms part of an overall Performance Support System for trainees and professionals involved in Fluid Power systems design. Also described is a formative evaluation of the framework.