Methodology and framework for computer-aided concurrent design of products, processes and manufacturing systems

The problem of development of a computer-aided concurrent design environment is addressed. First, the methodology and conceptual framework that allow for concurrent design of products, processes, and manufacturing systems are presented. The methodology describes procedures for the accomplishment of the following design objectives: (a) design of new products for an existing manufacturing system, (b) design of new products for a new manufacturing system, and (c) design of a new manufacturing system for existing products. Manufacturability is defined as the basic life-cycle value of the product. The goal is to design a product that is manufacturable at a minimum cost. This goal can be achieved only if product producibility and cost estimation are evaluated from early stages of the design process. An approach for simultaneous product and process design to enable the continuous producibility and cost evaluation is proposed.;The conceptual framework describes problem solving approaches and techniques needed to implement the concurrent design methodology proposed.;The methodology and conceptual framework are implemented in a prototype integrated concurrent design environment, called InCoDE, using the object-oriented programming paradigm that allows for an incremental and modular approach in the development of such a complex problem-solving environment. The environment provides many distinctive capabilities such as a sophisticated multi-window user-interface, continuous presentation of graphical and textual information, an intelligent advisory system, and the application of different software and artificial intelligence techniques for improving problem solving capabilities.;Due to the complexity of the problem domain and software requirements, InCoDE has a number of limitations. Further research activities are needed to improve the overall framework and to enhance the problem solving capabilities of various design functions.