Refinement, implementation and validation of assembly cost model for printed circuit assemblies

This research presents the development of a software application that implemented the generalization of a model to estimate the cost of electronic products that are being developed. The generalized cost model described the typical processes found in the electronics manufacturing industry. The proposed application allows users to define facilities, processes and products, calculate its cost and evaluate design alternatives in terms of cost. The application also contains also a default (virtual) facility with the typical processes of the electronics industry to make preliminary cost calculations of products. A relational database was designed to manage the information provided by users. The software was developed in Microsoft Visual Basic.NETRTM. A validation of the model was performed using four products from a local electronic company. A discrete event simulation model was also generated to evaluate the precision of the model and its application.