Showing papers on "Product design specification published in 1996"

Implications of Modularity on Product Design for the Life Cycle

Abstract: Growing concern for the environment has spurred interest in environmentally conscious design and manufacturing. The concept of Design for the Life Cycle encompasses all aspects of a product’s life cycle from initial conceptual design, through normal product use, to the eventual disposal of the product. A product’s architecture, determined during the configuration design stage, plays a large role in determining the product’s life cycle characteristics. In this paper, modularity of product architectures with respect to life cycle concerns, not just product functionality and structure, is defined and applied in the analysis of architecture characteristics. A principal hypothesis underlying this work is that high degree of life cycle modularity can be beneficial across all viewpoints of interest because all interested people will view the product similarly and consistently. An architecture decomposition algorithm from the literature is adopted for partitioning architectures into modules from each life cycle viewpoint. Two measures of modularity are proposed: one that measures module correspondence between several viewpoints, and another that measures coupling between modules. The algorithm and measures are applied to the analysis and redesign of an automotive center console. Results of applying the algorithm and measures accurately reflected our intuitive understanding of the original center console design and predicted the results of our redesign. Furthermore, these measures incorporate only configuration information of the product; hence, can be used before detailed design stages.

Effective Inventory and Service Management Through Product and Process Redesign

Abstract: One of the major challenges to operational managers is product proliferation. Product proliferation makes it difficult to forecast demands accurately, and consequently, leads to high inventory investment and poor customer service. Such proliferation is often a result of the global nature of the market place. Different markets may have different requirements for the product, due to differences in taste, language, geographical environment, or government regulations. Another reason for product proliferation is the expansion of the customer base. Different product versions are often developed for different market segments e.g., education, personal, business, or government users may have different needs of a product. To gain control of inventory and service, significant benefits can be obtained by properly exploring the opportunities in the design of the product or the process by which the product is made. Logistic issues like inventory and service are thus important dimensions that design engineers should consider, in addition to measures like functionality, performance, and manufacturability. This paper describes how some simple inventory models can be used to support the logistic dimensions of product/process design. Actual examples are used for illustration.

Creating Innovtive Products Using Total Design: The Living Legacy of Stuart Pugh

Abstract: From the Publisher: The pioneer of the Total Design movement, Stuart Pugh, created the framework for a structured and methodical design process that is being adopted by an ever-increasing number of companies today. Pugh's seminal book, Total Design, provides ground-breaking insights from a great visionary. This new work, Creating Innovative Products Using Total Design: The Living Legacy of Stuart Pugh, now allows the reader to benefit from Pugh's practical experiences that made him a legacy in product design and development. Chapter summaries by the eminent Dr. Don Clausing and Dr. Ron Andrade position the importance of Pugh's work in today's engineering design world. Every product development professional should have a copy of this book because it covers the entire spectrum of the product design process. In particular, it emphasizes that a total design approach - in all its complexity - is absolutely essential for consistent success in product development. In this book, you will find Pugh's most famous work, "Concept Selection - A Method that Works," describing innovative techniques that were put to the test so successfully for General Motors's Saturn project. You will also learn about the 34 elements of Pugh's Product Design Specification, the core of his design methodology. In addition, Pugh takes a close look at Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and knowledge-based engineering, relating them to the concepts of static and dynamic design. The book also offers a careful analysis of the human side of product design, addressing team dynamics, management techniques, and the processes that foster creativity and steady progress.

Computer-based product planning system

Abstract: A product planning system uses a server (12) for storing centralized data accessible by remote stations (14). The system provides for uniform product planning. throughout an organization while ensuring thoroughness, control, and rapid implementation, and includes the planning chapters of idea assessment, opportunity assessment, business plan, implementation planning and product launch implemented by performing associated tasks customized according to the product.

An introduction to the concepts, benefits and terminology of product data management

Abstract: Product data management (PDM) systems help to keep track of the masses of information needed to design, manufacture or build products and then to maintain them. They can be applied to a wide range of products and industries and across the whole spectrum of organizational functions. Benefits extend far beyond engineering design to include cost savings in manufacturing, reduced time to market and increased product quality. Defines and describes the type of features and functions that should be found in a PDM system and addresses the following: data vault and document management; workflow and process management; product structure management; classification; project management; communication and notification; data transport and translation; image services; system administration; and PDM environments.

Relating product definition and product variety

Abstract: As manufacturers adapt to the needs of today's buyers' market, which is replacing the manufacturers' market of yesterday, the need for product variety will increase. Even today, manufacturers of products which are built to customer order, for example, cars, aeroplanes and medical equipment, offer such a large range of combinations of product features that millions of variants of a single product are possible. Commercially available software systems support the automation of many aspects of the engineering process; product databases enable the description of single products and engineering applications can use these product descriptions to carry out their tasks. However, contemporary software systems do not support product variety without a great deal of redundancy. This paper describes the use of advanced product modelling techniques to describe families of products without redundant data. The description of multiple views on a product family, without data redundancy, is a major problem to be overcome when product families are modelled. We show how a single product model can be used to describe a product family and support two typical views, a sales (customer) view and an assembly view, of a variant of that product family without redundancy.

Specifying software quality with the extended ISO model

Abstract: Specifying the quality of software products is a valuable addition to functional specification, clarifying product properties such as learnability and availability. Specifying such properties is considered difficult due to the different parties involved and the implicit nature of the requirements. The QUINT project gathered experience with product specification by means of the Extended ISO model: an extension to the ISO 9126 model of software quality. By defining indicators and specifying how they should be measured, quality specifications can make requirements explicit. Recommendations and pitfalls for composing a specification are grouped by the context in which quality specifications can be used.

A framework for product data

Abstract: IT support for engineering involves the integration of existing, evolving and future product data, and software that processes that data. Thus, there is increasing interest in the representation of product data in the computer to support CAE applications. To avoid duplication and inconsistency, and to support the use of new implementation technology as it emerges, conceptual models of product data are required. Such models are independent of the software and hardware environments in which they are implemented. System architectures to support the integration of applications at implementation time are becoming an accepted part of engineering information systems. To use these software support environments effectively, integrated product data is required. It must also be possible to extend the integrated product data in a controlled fashion if it is to evolve to support future engineering applications effectively. A framework that is a part of the product data at the conceptual modeling stage helps to satisfy these requirements. The framework presented is a structure for the information content of product data rather than for the implementation of such data. Product data based on the framework can be successfully implemented in a number of different database forms. This paper describes a framework for electromechanical product data that has been implemented in a structure editor and is being used to support a range of engineering applications. The process of product data integration can be improved by using existing integration strategies together with a framework that provides an overall organization for the data.

Computer system and computer-implemented process for correlating product requirements to manufacturing cost

Abstract: A computer system determines a quantitative measure of a manufacturer's capability to achieve a product requirement at an acceptable cost. This quantitative measure, called the manufacturer's capability curve, is a function relating a product requirement, such as a customer's need or a government regulation or other performance requirement of a component of the product, to a cost for achieving this product requirement. The use of the computer system is enhanced by following a methodology for identifying possible key characteristics as described below. This methodology allows for identification of the relationship of lower level features to higher level features of a product and identification of interaction between two or more features and their impact on product performance.

Design of Modular Product Architectures in Discrete Design Spaces Subject to Life Cycle Issues

Abstract: A product’s architecture affects the ability of a company to customize, assemble, service, and recycle the product. Much of the flexibility to address these issues is locked into the product’s design during the configuration design stage when the architecture is determined. The concepts of modules and modularity are central to the description of an architecture, where a module is a set of components that share some characteristic. Modularity is a measure of the correspondence between the modules of a product from different viewpoints, such as functionality and physical structure. The purpose of this paper is to investigate formal foundations for configuration design. Since product architectures are discrete structures, discrete mathematics, including set theory and combinatorics, is used for the investigation. A Product Module Reasoning System (PMRS) is developed to reason about sets of product architectures, to translate design requirements into constraints on these sets, to compare architecture modules from different viewpoints, and to directly enumerate all feasible modules without generate-and-test or heuristic search approaches. The PMRS is described mathematically and applied to the design of architectures for a hand-held tape recorder. Life cycle requirements are used as design criteria.

Toward a Classification Approach to Design

Abstract: This paper addresses the problem of how to construct refinements of specifications formally and incrementally The key idea is to use a taxonomy of abstract design concepts, each represented by a design theory An abstract design concept is applied by constructing a specification morphism from its design theory to a requirement specification Procedures for propagating constraints, computing colimits, and constructing specification morphisms provide computational support for this approach Although we conjecture that classification generally applies to the incremental application of knowledge represented in a taxonomy of design theories, this paper mainly focuses on algorithm design theories and presents several examples of design by classification

The design co-ordination framework : key elements for effective product development

Abstract: This paper proposes a Design Co-ordination Framework (DCF) i.e. a concept for an ideal DC system with the abilities to support co-ordination of various complex aspects of product development. A set of frames, modelling key elements of coordination, which reflect the states of design, plans, organisation, allocations, tasks etc. during the design process, has been identified. Each frame is explained and the co-ordination, i.e. the management of the links between these frames, is presented, based upon characteristic DC situations in industry. It is concluded that while the DCF provides a basis for our research efforts into enhancing the product development process there is still considerable work and development required before it can adequately reflect and support Design Co-ordination.

Integrated Product and Process Management for Engineering Design Applications

Abstract: SUKITS is a joint project of computer scientists and mechanical engineers which is devoted to the design and implementation of an integrated infrastructure for product development. This infrastructure---the CIM Manager---provides a framework for a posteriori integration of heterogeneous application systems. This paper describes management of engineering products and processes. Product management deals with configurations of interdependent, versioned documents such as designs, manufacturing plans, or NC programs. Management of engineering processes is tightly integrated with product management. A configuration of interdependent documents is interpreted as a net of communicating processes. Concurrent engineering is supported by exchanging pre releases of intermediate results.

CE4: Concurrent Engineering of Product, Process, Facility, and Organization

Abstract: We argue in this paper that Concurrent Engineering of Product, Process, Facility, and Organization (CE4) is now both possible and beneficial As quality has started to become a commodity, time to market has become the major issue for many kinds of businesses In some industries such as semiconductors in which product and process development have become rapid and competitive, developing the factory and bringing it on-line have started to become bottleneck steps in the product development cycle CE4 extends the tradition of concurrent engineer ing of product and manufacturing process it is now possible to start to design the product, manufacturing process, manufacturing facility, and the managing organization simultaneously Like traditional concurrent design of product and manufacturing process (CE2), CE4 probably de pends primarily on setting the management objective and providing the management support However, CE4 can build on a number of technical foundations symbolic product and process models, support fo...

Review of techniques for optimizing multiple quality characteristics in product development

Abstract: For a manufacturing organization to compete effectively in the global marketplace a strong product development process is essential. An important ingredient in the product development process is the identification and subsequent optimization of those product characteristics which denote quality. Relying upon inspection and testing to ensure product quality is inefficient and expensive. Rather, quality should be built into the design of the product. Consequently, product quality characteristics must be optimized during the product development process. Typically, there are several product quality characteristics which are important indicators of quality, and one or more of the quality characteristics may require optimization of both mean and variance. This paper describes the application of the methodologies available for optimization of quality characteristics in product development: Taguchi's Methods, mathematical programming, and response surface methodology. The utilization of each technique for optimization of a single quality characteristic and for optimization of both the mean and variance of multiple quality characteristics is described.

Superior product development : managing the process for innovative products : a product management book for engineering and business professionals

Abstract: 1 Introduction. 2 The Product Development Process. 3 Product Ideas. 4 Customer Future Needs Projection. 5 Technology Selection and Development. 6 Final Product Definition and Project Targets. 7 Product Design and Evaluation. 8 Marketing and Distribution Preparation. 9 Manufacturing Systems Design. 10 Product Manufacture, Delivery and Use. 11 Leading and Organizing Product Development. Discussion Questions.

A case study: a network system for knowledge amplification in the product development process

Abstract: Future product development is expected to evolve from the current stage, where the final commercial product is most important aspect of production, to the stage where the knowledge required for product development is of greatest significance. This study aims to construct an engineering management information system applicable to this new age of knowledge. Approaches are formulated from the standpoint of knowledge amplification in the engineering process. First, Sony's current product development process which is based on event management, product planning, and the subsequent design processes are analyzed to clarify the sequence of knowledge amplification. Then the sequence of knowledge amplification of individual engineers and that of the organization groups are analyzed, and a new network system supporting the product development process is proposed.

The prioritisation of attributes in customer requirement management

Abstract: This paper expounds on a hybrid approach for capturing the customer requirements, translating them into design and product features, and finally prioritising them through quantitative analyses. The customer's voice is often ambiguous and nontechnical. Many enterprises have attempted to convert requirements into product specifications by the technique of quality function deployment (QFD) which could be described graphically using a house of quality (HoQ). With this approach, customer requirements are transformed into product attributes, and subsequently into engineering characteristics for appropriate actions. Hence, the resulting product would be more readily accepted by customers as they could see how the product features are related to their needs. Although the conventional HoQ could map the customers' wants and needs against the relevant product attributes, the relationships among the various entries are normally represented qualitatively. The modified approach described in this paper employed the principles of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) which could help transform the relationships into quantitative terms as well as identify the priority of each attribute to facilitate decision-making in resource allocation. A case study on a Hi-Fi equipment series is given.

Integrating design for environment into the product design of Switching Platforms

Abstract: This paper describes the way environmental issues are being integrated into the product design of the Switching Platforms unit of Nokia Telecommunications. Switching Platforms is implementing design for environment by integrating environmental issues into its product design through influencing points found in the product process. Therefore the same people will make the decisions in design for environment that determine the overall product design decisions and environmental issues will be considered side by side with other requirements. To determine what to do in design for environment, idea generating workshops were arranged for the product design experts with the help of an electronic meeting system, GroupSystems. Check lists will be formed from the results of these workshops. Check lists can be thought of as the heart of their design for environment system. Based on the workshop material and check lists, metrics will be designed and strategies for design for environment set. This paper also contains a section discussing what they have learned during their design for environment implementation.

ECO-Fusion, integrated software for environmentally-conscious production

Abstract: An integrated environmental software program called ECO-Fusion has been developed as a tool for support of environmentally-conscious production, in particular in relation to the manufacture of electronic products. When the environmental impact of manufacturing and use of an actual product needs to be determined, the main problems are description of product composition and product life-cycle, storage of these data, and correspondence of various environmental estimation techniques. To solve these problems, ECO-Fusion features product-centered description, an object-oriented product database, and multifaceted environmental evaluation. The product-centered description is created by using the input system, the product list window, the composition window, and the life-cycle flow window. Product composition is represented by a tree structure with a product root in the composition window, and product life-cycle flow is represented by a coupled-tree structure with a product root in the life-cycle flow window. This input system allows simple modeling of complicated compositions and life-cycles for actual products. The object-oriented product database is suitable for storing the relationships of components, attributes of the components, relationships between processes, and attributes of the processes. Multifaceted evaluation is achieved by implementing three evaluation techniques: environmental product assessment, life-cycle assessment (LCA), and assembly/disassembly evaluation. In environmental product assessment, a product is compared with a reference product using and about 30 criteria on an environmental checksheet.

Engineering Properties and Performance of Concrete Made with Recycled Construction Aggregates

Abstract: Current global focus on environmentally sustainable construction systems has induced a strong demand for alternative materials to replace diminishing natural resources. In particular, the prospect of replacing virgin quarry products with recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) in premix concrete production is well recognised. These trends are also partly driven by industry recognition of the need to build more efficiently and cost-effectively with minimum environmental impact. Several technical and commercial challenges, however, exists. Most notable is the paucity of performance and engineering data on recycled aggregate concrete, required to aid development of appropriate design codes and to guide product specification. Test results of research projects currently being undertaken at CSIRO to investigate production and performance requirements of RCA concrete are presented in this paper. The impact of aggregate variability on concrete rheology and engineering properties are examined in relation to concrete mix design. The discussion also includes the implications of material specification on concrete durability and service life performance.

New developments in hydroprocessing

Abstract: Changes in the demand for the various oil products combined with tighter product specifications has in the past and will continue to have in the future a strong impact on the role of hydroprocessing in refining. New technologies and, even more important, new catalysts have been developed to meet these changes. This paper will review the changes in product slates and product qualities of refined oil, both in the past and in the future,which influence hydrotreating and hydrocracking processes in the refinery. These changes in demands and specifications are generally met by applying and improving existing technologies. Catalyst development is crucial in this respect. A review will be given regarding new catalysts introduced into the market since 1990. New technologies introduced since 1985 are summarized. Four of the most interesting and successful new technologies are discussed in more detail.