C&C²-A Embodiment-Function-Relations in Design

 

Functions are realised in a product through design of a fitting embodiment. The main activity of a design engineer is finding and improving an embodiment until it can fulfil the desired functions not only in general, but over the lifespan of the product. For doing so, he needs knowledge of the relations of function and embodiment. Focus of our research is the support of the design engineer in the process of identification and usage of embodiment function relations in design activities. For that we develop and investigate methods of analysis, model building and model verification to help the design engineer to gain knowledge about his technical system.

C&C^2
C&C²-model of a power tool

Main research topics

  • Application of the C&C² approach in design
  • Modelling in the analysis
  • Model verification
  • Synthesis

Systems

Methods

Processes
  • Power Tools
  • Fastening technology
  • Automotive systems
  • Vehicle construction
  • Sheet metal components

Methods of analysis:

  • analyseKIT framework (methods to identify system behaviour)
    • Change of perspective
    • Zoom in
    • Show me don't tell me
  • Wear analysis

Modelling and verification of the Form-Function relationship:

  • C&C²-Approach
  • Design hypotheses
  • Hypothesis testing with the Design ACH 
  • Rapid prototypes

Methods of synthesis

  • Heuristics of the C&C²-Approach
  • Embodiment-related rules of synthesis

Understanding the design engineer

  • Eye-tracking
  • Think-aloud
  • Techniques of modelling with the C&C²-Approach
  • Procedures of embodiment design

Equipment

  • Laboratory for analysis (incl. macroscope, microscope & ferrography)
  • Eye-tracking equipment
  • Rapid prototyping (incl. workshop, 3D-printers, lasercutter & milling machine)

Further equipment of the institute can be found here.

Selected publications in the research field


2024
Mapping the landscape of product models in embodiment design
Paehler, L.; Matthiesen, S.
2024. Research in Engineering Design, 35 (3), 289–310. doi:10.1007/s00163-024-00433-x Full textFull text of the publication as PDF document
A new approach to derive variation shares by combining the C&C² approach and the PGE model
Tröster, P. M.; Tsutskiridze, G.; Dieck, T.; Albers, A.
2024. Proceedings of the Design Society, 4, 165 – 174. doi:10.1017/pds.2024.19 Full textFull text of the publication as PDF document
2023
Utilizing the Embodiment Function Relation and Tolerance Model for Robust Concept Design
Li, J.; Horber, D.; Keller, C.; Grauberger, P.; Goetz, S.; Wartzack, S.; Matthiesen, S.
2023. Proceedings of the Design Society, 3, 3771 – 3780. doi:10.1017/pds.2023.378 Full textFull text of the publication as PDF document
A Designation Guide for Consistent Cross-System-Level Modeling of Embodiment Function Relations
Tröster, P. M.; Schmidt, D.; Albers, A.
2023. Procedia CIRP, 119, 1222–1227. doi:10.1016/j.procir.2023.03.158 Full textFull text of the publication as PDF document
2022
Investigating the generation of specific design knowledge: experimental validation of a qualitative modelling method
Grauberger, P.; Eisenmann, M.; Windisch, E.; Matthiesen, S.
2022. Journal of Engineering Design, 33 (11), 870–895. doi:10.1080/09544828.2022.2151788 Full textFull text of the publication as PDF document
Gaining insights through qualitative modelling - industrial project analysis with focus on derived hypotheses based on the contact and channel approach
Grauberger, P.; Bremer, F.; Pfaff, F.; Tröster, P.; Nelius, T.; Eisenmann, M.; Stöberl, T.; Albers, A.; Matthiesen, S.
2022. 32nd CIRP Design Conference (CIRP Design 2022) - Design in a changing world. Ed.: N. Anwer, 478–483, Elsevier. doi:10.1016/j.procir.2022.05.281
2021
Enhancing design method training with insights from educational research–improving and evaluating a training course for a qualitative modelling method
Grauberger, P.; Eisenmann, M.; Stoitzner, J.; Matthiesen, S.
2021. SN applied sciences, 3 (11). doi:10.1007/s42452-021-04817-9 Full textFull text of the publication as PDF document
Gestaltung : Prozess und Methoden
Matthiesen, S.
2021. Pahl/Beitz Konstruktionslehre. Hrsg.: B. Bender, 397–465, Springer-Verlag. doi:10.1007/978-3-662-57303-7_13
2020
The contact and channel approach – 20 years of application experience in product engineering
Grauberger, P.; Wessels, H.; Gladysz, B.; Bursac, N.; Matthiesen, S.; Albers, A.
2020. Journal of engineering design, 31 (5), 241–265. doi:10.1080/09544828.2019.1699035
Qualitative Modelling in Embodiment Design - Investigating the Contact and Channel Approach Through Analysis of Projects
Grauberger, P.; Bremer, F.; Sturm, C.; Hoelz, K.; Wessels, H.; Gwosch, T.; Wagner, R.; Lanza, G.; Albers, A.; Matthiesen, S.
2020. Proceedings of the Design Society: DESIGN Conference, 1, 897–906. doi:10.1017/dsd.2020.260 Full textFull text of the publication as PDF document
2019
Product models in embodiment design: an investigation of challenges and opportunities
Matthiesen, S.; Grauberger, P.; Bremer, F.; Nowoseltschenko, K.
2019. SN Applied Sciences, 1 (9), 1078. doi:10.1007/s42452-019-1115-y
Extended Sequence Modelling in Design Engineering – Gaining and Documenting Knowledge about Embodiment Function Relations with the C&C2-Approach
Matthiesen, S.; Grauberger, P.; Schrempp, L.
2019. Proceedings of the Design Society: International Conference on Engineering Design, 1 (1), 1483–1492. doi:10.1017/dsi.2019.154 Full textFull text of the publication as PDF document
Agile Lightweight Design - The Extended Target Weighing Approach in ASD - Agile Systems Design Using Functional Modelling with the C&C2-Approach
Albers, A.; Matthiesen, S.; Revfi, S.; Schönhoff, C.; Grauberger, P.; Heimicke, J.
2019. Proceedings of the Design Society: International Conference on Engineering Design, 1 (1), 2667–2676. doi:10.1017/dsi.2019.273 Full textFull text of the publication as PDF document
Design for Vibration Reduction – An Overview of Models for Product Development with Focus on Excitation and Transmission of Vibrations of Technical Systems
Sturm, C.; Bremer, F.; Matthiesen, S.
2019. Procedia CIRP, 84, 662–666. doi:10.1016/j.procir.2019.03.254 Full textFull text of the publication as PDF document
2018
How do c&c²-models improve efficiency, comprehensibility and scope in failure analysis - an empirical study based on two live-labs
Gladysz, B.; Albers, A.
2018. International Design Conference - Design 2018, Dubrovnik, HR, May 21-24, 2018, 1127–1138. doi:10.21278/idc.2018.0497
From Reality to Simulation – Using the C&C²-Approach to Support the Modelling of a Dynamic System
Matthiesen, S.; Grauberger, P.; Sturm, C.; Steck, M.
2018. Procedia CIRP, 70, 475–480. doi:10.1016/j.procir.2018.03.039 Full textFull text of the publication as PDF document
Modellbildung mit dem C&C²-Ansatz in der Gestaltung - Techniken zur Analyse und Synthese
Matthiesen, S.; Grauberger, P.; Hölz, K.; Nelius, T.; Bremer, F.; Wettstein, A.; Gessinger, A.; Pflegler, B.; Nowoseltschenko, K.; Voß, K.
2018. Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT). doi:10.5445/IR/1000080744 Full textFull text of the publication as PDF document
2017
Systemverständnis durch Analysemethoden
Matthiesen, S.; Hölz, K.; Grauberger, P.
2017. DFX 2017: Proceedings of the 28th Symposium Design for X, Bamberg, Germany, 4-5 October 2017. Hrsg.: D. Krause, 263–274, The Design Society
Studiendesign zur Untersuchung der synthesegetriebenen Analyse von Konstrukteuren
Matthiesen, S.; Nelius, T.; Pflegler, B.; Gutmann, T.
2017. DFX 2017: Proceedings of the 28th Symposium Design for X, Bamberg, Germany, 4-5 October 2017. Ed.: D. Krause, 299–310, The Design Society
2016
Integration von Versuchsergebnissen in C&C² - Modellen zur Wiederverwendung in der Produktgenerationsentwicklung am Beispiel eines trockenlaufenden Kupplungssystems
Albers, A.; Gladysz, B.; Kniel, J.; Aschoff, M.; Meyer, A.
2016. KT 2016 : 14. Gemeinsames Kolloquium Konstruktionstechnik : Traditio et Innovatio - Entwicklung und Konstruktion, Rostock, 6. - 7. Oktober 2016. Hrsg.: K. Brökel, 10–20, Shaker Verlag
2014
The Contact and Channel Approach (C&C2-A) - relating a system’s physical structure to its functionality
Albers, A.; Sadowski, E.
2014. An Anthology of Theories and Models of Design : Philosophy, Approaches and Empirical Explorations. Ed.: A. Chakrabarti, 151–171, Springer-Verlag. doi:10.1007/978-1-4471-6338-1_8
2012
New insights on the contact&channel-approach - Modelling of systems with several logical states
Matthiesen S.; Ruckpaul A.
2012. DESIGN 2012: Proceedings of the 12th International Design Conference, Dubrovnik, Croatia, May 21-24, 2012. Ed.: D. Marjanovic, 1019–1028, The Design Society
2011
Seven Years of Product Development in Industry - Experiences and Requirements for Supporting Engineering Design with ’Thinking Tools’
Matthiesen, S.
2011. Impacting society through engineering design: ICED 11 København. Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Engineering Design, Copenhagen, Denmark, August 15th-18th, 2011. Vol. 9: Design methods and tools Pt. 1. Ed.: S. Culley, 236–245, The Design Society
2002
Konstruktionsmethodisches Grundmodell zum Zusammenhang von Gestalt und Funktion technischer Systeme - Das Elementmodell "Wirkflächenpaare & Leitstützstrukturen" zur Analyse und Synthese technischer Systeme
Albers, A.; Matthiesen, S.
2002. Konstruktion, 54 (7-8), 55–60
Ein Beitrag zur Basisdefinition des Elementmodells "Wirkflächenpaare & Leitstützstrukturen" zum Zusammenhang von Funktion und Gestalt technischer Systeme. PhD dissertation
Matthiesen, S.
2002. Karlsruhe 2002. (Forschungsberichte. Institut für Maschinenkonstruktionslehre und Kraftfahrzeugbau, Universität Karlsruhe (TH). 6.) Fak. f. Maschinenbau, Diss. v. 21.10.2002., Universität Karlsruhe (TH). doi:10.5445/IR/12092002 Full textFull text of the publication as PDF document

Overview of all IPEK Publications

An overview of all IPEK publications can be found here.