Enhancing Design Efficiency and Reliability Using a Design Automation System

Abstract

This study aims to develop a 3D/2D design automation system within Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD environments to improve repetitive and manual design processes in the manufacturing industry, enhancing both design efficiency and reliability. Focusing on hydraulic cylinders, the proposed system applies design standardization and parametric modeling rules to produce consistent and accurate design outcomes. Based on Autodesk’s API functions integrated with an MSSQL database, the system automatically generates 3D models, 2D drawings, and bills of materials (BOMs), while also enabling centralized storage and management of design data. The proposed framework consists of six modules: an input module, database module, 3D module, 2D module, BOM module, and user interface. These modules are interlinked to automate data flow, ensuring that all design results are automatically updated whenever modifications occur. Such an integrated structure not only guarantees the consistency and reliability of design data but also minimizes potential design errors and reduces the frequency of revisions. Furthermore, automatically generated drawings contribute to the uniformity and quality of the final design documents. The developed system has demonstrated significant improvements in design productivity and reliability in real industrial environments. Compared with conventional manual design methods, the total design time was reduced by approximately 88%, the design error rate decreased by 97%, and the frequency of 2D drawing revisions was reduced by more than 90%. Beyond functional implementation, this research presents a verified case of design automation applied in an actual industrial context, contributing to the establishment of a smart design foundation for the manufacturing sector. Consequently, the proposed system can be evaluated as an integrated automation platform that enhances both design efficiency and reliability, with future advancements aimed at incorporating automated structural analysis for design validation.