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As an essential part of design, the conceptual design needs computer assistance from its initial design stage of product development. However computer-aided conceptual design is limited by the current function-to-form mapping approaches. A new growth design process model is proposed in this paper in which geometrical solutions grow gradually from scratch to their complete configurations. Two theoretical design principles, Decomposition & Reconstitution (D&R) principle and Cell Division principle, are briefly introduced to provide better understanding of Growth Design model. The concept of Conceptual Structure is used to support the transition process from conceptual design to detailed design in the growth design process. Finally, an application case is introduced to show the effects of the growth design model.

It is herein conjectured that the cost of a machine can be estimated early in the engineering process. Such estimation is based on an integral index of its informational (parametric) complexity. The index also factors in the properties of materials in use as well as the structural components of machine parts. The author has designed an original approach to the management of design processes, which approach is based on the structural index entropy. The entropy level decreases as the structure is optimized. Using the economic parameters should also help decrease such entropy. The author herein presents the instruments for estimating the parametric complexity of a structure. This index may then be used to calculate the projected costs of the structure.

Current reverse engineering approach is an effective way for technology progress of developing countries. Based on analysis of existing reverse engineering technology, a new concept of Product Reverse Engineering (PRE) is proposed and its theoretical framework is discussed first in this paper in order to extend its application from components to the overall product structure and design process. Then a brief introduction is made to the technical system architecture and key techniques for PRE, which include the rapid solid modeling, integrating with existing CAD systems through STEP file, assembly modeling for conceptual structure, and reverse design process reconstruction. Finally, a prototype system PRE-DARFAD is developed with initial verification by a fixture design example.

As science and technology develops faster and faster, the accumulation of knowledge is exponential over time. Engineering education must keep up with the changing environment including engineering practice. As each individual’s capability is limited, engineering students need choosing right stuff to learn so that they can graduate as qualified engineers with both broad knowledge and practical skills as required in industry. In this paper, the current engineering education is discussed with some trends, such as creativity training as most have insisted in project-based hands-on design education, broad knowledge including essential engineering science knowledge. As a comprehensive discipline, design engineering courses exist to teach engineering design fundamental. Due to immature design theory and methodology, the “learning by doing” approach is widely accepted to complement current engineering design education. In this paper, an integrated effort is introduced which combines together the two basic aspects, knowledge and skill, in order to increase the half-life of engineering knowledge and enhance the hands-on skills at the same time. Based on new development in design research, an experimental design education using Product Reverse Engineering (PRE) as education tool, is introduced with initial evaluation for suitability in design education.