Showing papers on "Product design specification published in 2007"

Product family design and platform-based product development: a state-of-the-art review

Abstract: Product family design and platform-based product development has received much attention over the last decade. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art research in this field. A decision framework is introduced to reveal a holistic view of product family design and platform-based product development, encompassing both front-end and back-end issues. The review is organized according to various topics in relation to product families, including fundamental issues and definitions, product portfolio and product family positioning, platform-based product family design, manufacturing and production, as well as supply chain management. Major challenges and future research directions are also discussed.

A decision support system for product design in concurrent engineering

Abstract: Compared with the traditional sequential design method, concurrent engineering is a systematic approach to integrate concurrent design of products and their related processes. One of the key factors to successfully implement concurrent engineering is information technology. In order to design a product and its manufacturing process simultaneously, information on product features, manufacturing requirements, and customer demands must be processed while the design is concurrently going on. There is an increased understanding of the importance of the correct decisions being made at the conceptual design and development stages that involve many complex evaluation and decision-making tasks. In order to promote the efficiency in concurrent product development, appropriate evaluation and decision tools need to be provided. In this paper, the characteristics of fuzzy, multi-stage evaluation and decision making in concurrent product development process are analyzed and a decision support system for product design in concurrent engineering is presented. An example is given to illustrate the application of the system.

Modularization and the impact on supply relationships

Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to examine the role of product architecture in supply chain design. Specifically, it seeks to resolve confusion over the impact of modularisation on supplier relationship management. On the one hand, the introduction of modularisation suggests that buyer and supplier firms should move towards greater collaboration in order to co‐develop products and reduce interface constraints. On the other hand, the standardisation of interfaces suggests that buyer firms could introduce a “black box” approach to component design, holding suppliers at arm's‐length and reducing dependence. These conflicting views form the focus of the research: under what conditions does modularity lead to increasing collaboration?Design/methodology/approach – The data are drawn from UK manufacturing firms across eight industry sectors using a sample from the Conquest Business Media database. Three hypotheses are tested through a three‐step hierarchical regression analysis.Findings – The findings provide support ...

Characterising user capabilities to support inclusive design evaluation

Abstract: Designers require knowledge and data about users to effectively evaluate product accessibility during the early stages of design. This paper addresses this problem by setting out the sensory, cognitive and motor dimensions of user capability that are important for product interaction. The relationship between user capability and product demand is used as the underlying conceptual model for product design evaluations and for estimating the number of people potentially excluded from using a given product.

Supporting Product Derivation by Adapting and Augmenting Variability Models

Abstract: Product derivation is the process of constructing products from the core assets in a product line. Guidance and support are needed to increase efficiency and to deal with the complexity of product derivation. Research has, however, devoted comparatively little attention to this process. In this paper we describe an approach for supporting product derivation. We show that variability models need to be prepared for concrete projects before they can be effectively utilized in the derivation process. Project-specific information and sales knowledge should be added and irrelevant variability should be pruned. We also present tool support and illustrate the approach using examples from ongoing research collaboration.

On the cusp of a validation wall

Abstract: Traditionally, universities teach how to make or build things but not so much how to "break" things or find, patch, or prevent breaks. However, much of industry validation hinges on the latter skills. Validation is something that does not get noticed when done well, but everyone notices when something goes wrong - such as the infamous Pentium floating-point division bug. Major semiconductor companies experience postsilicon validation turning into a very expensive, time-consuming proposition, yet very few college graduates are formally trained in the area. Validation is the activity of ensuring a product satisfies its reference specifications, runs with relevant software and hardware, and meets user expectations. Here, I discuss some of the key challenges to successful validation and show why a radical transformation is necessary if validation is to be effective in the near future.

User-requirement driven shopping assistant

Abstract: Device, method and system for providing shopping assistance information to customers using RFID tagged items in a store equipped with on-board or hand-held shopping cart RFID readers and display devices modified to have a personal product specification criteria data input interface.

A Product and Process Modeling Based Approach to Study Cost Implications of Product Variety in Mass Customization

Abstract: With the growing competition in businesses, satisfying customers' individual requirements has turned into a competitive edge. Highly diversified customer needs lead to not only high product variety but also the associated cost implications. In order to handle the complexity and intertwining relationships of variety and cost, a systematic approach is proposed based on product and process modeling. This approach includes two phases: phase I models product and process variety and studies their relationships; and phase II investigates the relationships between product variety and costs and identifies major additional cost contributors, namely variety cost drivers in the product family design. A case study is presented to demonstrate the feasibility and potential of the proposed approach

Real time simulation of auctioning and re-scheduling processes in hybrid freight markets

Abstract: In the freight logistics business, supply chains are under strong pressure to provide customized goods and services. Individualized product deliveries, modifications in product specification, late orders and volume changes need to be accommodated within strict delivery time frames. This uncertainty in demand can only be accommodated by allowing for slack capacity and time in trip planning. As this overbooking creates substantial costs, however, firms will attempt to minimize these costs by further optimizing and re-organizing their distribution channels. In this paper we look at the feasibility of one such solution, a hybrid system of contracting freight carrying services. Here, part of the services are provided by various carriers using contracts for a fixed base volume of freight, which results in planned delivery tours. Additional to these volumes, peaks resulting from additional shipments are accommodated by one or more of these carriers within an auction setting based on price and quality of service. The additional freight is won by the carrier that has the most flexible trip planning in terms of capacity, service quality and costs. We test the effectiveness and efficiency of this contracting system by means of a simultaneous, real time simulation of the execution of planned tours, the auctioning process and the re-scheduling of tours. The model provides us with new insights on the dynamics of bidding behaviour on the side of carriers and shippers.

Value flow characterization during product lifecycle to assist in recovery decisions

Abstract: The value of a product at the end of its useful life determines whether it is disposed, recycled, remanufactured or is handled some other way within the recovery infrastructure. This value changes over time, and depends on factors such as the quality of the product and its perception by business entities within the recovery infrastructure. Under the assumption that the last user wants to maximize economic gain, these factors can be considered as uncertainties that affect the decision of the last user with regard to product disposition. Since the choice made by the last user has a significant effect on the environmental impact of a product, it is important to understand the value of the product over its lifecycle and thus its end-of-life value. A model is proposed in this paper to characterize the value flow during the product lifecycle. The model considers three product lifecycle stages: (i) manufacturing (the value creation stage); (ii) usage (value consumption stage); (iii) recovery/post-use (value recl...

Flexible platform component design under uncertainty

Abstract: Incorporating flexibility into product platforms allows manufacturers to respond to changing market needs with a minimal increase in product family complexity and investment cost. To successfully design a flexible product platform, proper design of flexible platform components is critical. These components can be described as “cousin” parts as they are neither completely unique nor completely common among variants. In this paper, a multidisciplinary process for designing flexible product platform components is introduced, assuming the platform component is decided a priori. The design process starts with identification of uncertainties and generation of multiple design alternatives for embedding flexibility into the component. Design alternatives are then optimized for minimum cost, while satisfying the component performance requirements. The flexible designs are then evaluated for economic profitability under identified uncertainty, using Monte Carlo simulation. At the end, the most profitable flexible component design is selected. The proposed design process is demonstrated through a case study, in which different flexible designs are generated and optimized for an automotive floor pan, an essential element of most vehicle product platforms. Results suggest that the way in which the flexibility is incorporated in the component, production volume trends, and the degree of built-in flexibility are important factors to consider when designing flexible product platforms.

Automated Software Product Line Engineering and Product Derivation

Abstract: This paper describes a prototype automated software product line engineering environment, in which a multiple view model of the product line architecture and components are developed and stored in a product line repository. Automated software product derivation consists of tailoring the product line architecture given the product features and selecting the components to be included in the product. The automated environment is built on top of Rational Rose RT. Automated support is provided for developing multiple product line views, using the feature model as the unifying view, an underlying product line meta-model that provides a schema for a product line repository, support for consistency checking among the multiple views, and support for feature-based product line derivation

Frameworks for Product Family Design and Development

Abstract: In today's market, products must meet or exceed customers' needs while being competitively priced and developed in the shortest time possible. While product platforms address many of these requirements, they can incur additional development challenges with regards to coordination, time, and cost. Companies therefore need to use a concurrent engineering process to develop product families and product platforms efficiently; however, no concurrent engineering process models exist to support product family development. Based on concurrent engineering principles, four processes are proposed for systematic product family design using two platforming approaches — top-down and bottom-up — and two development drivers: product-driven and platform-driven. The first objective of this study is to propose a consistent product family development process terminology. The second objective is to detail representative frameworks and processes for the four proposed product family design processes based on the two approaches ...

Interfaces between technology development, product development and production: critical factors and a conceptual model

Abstract: Interfaces between technology development, product development, and production must be managed in order to avoid misfits between technology and product concepts and ensure the fit of the product design and the production process. In this paper, critical challenges related to these interfaces are studied based on in-depth case studies of ten product development projects at five manufacturing firms, two workshops and a questionnaire. Our findings indicate that factors related to synchronisation and transfer management are most critical. A tentative model is formulated as an instrument to reduce risk and uncertainty related to the interfaces.

Eliciting information for product modeling using process modeling

Abstract: A product model is a formal and structured definition of product information. The most common procedure for defining a product data model is to first describe the business and/or engineering process in a formal process model, then to create a product data model based on the process model. However, there is a logical gap between process modeling and product modeling methods in the current ISO 10303 standard product modeling process. We propose a new formal approach, called Process to Product Modeling (PPM) in which process and product modeling can be logically linked. This paper focuses on the semantics and syntax for the Requirements Collection and Modeling (RCM) of PPM. The new RCM method aims to model heterogeneous business processes and their information flows. The major difference between the proposed method and traditional requirements collection methods is that it provides a theoretical linkage to integrate process models and a set of specific information items used in them. This theoretical linkage enables modelers to capture the contents, scope, granularity, and semantics of information used in activities, which are depicted in process models. A PPM method, called Georgia Tech Process to Product Modeling (GTPPM), has been developed and was deployed for the North American Precast Concrete Software Consortium; examples from this effort are presented. Experience to date indicates that the new RCM method and the GTPPM tool hold the potential to improve and expedite elicitation of information for product model development.

A holonic metamodel for product traceability in Product Lifecycle Management

Abstract: Product and production management have become complex processes, where more problems are overlapping each other, while the product development might ever take more into account the improved customers' tastes and requests in a shorter time-to-market. The Product Lifecycle and its related Management (PLM) are becoming unavoidable key aspects, creating such a 'product centric' problem. The integrated management of all the information regarding the product is one of the related questions. One of the main issues concerning with the product management in a wider perspective, deals with the traceability of the product itself. The present paper aims at discussing the question of PLM as a question of product traceability. The product traceability problem concerns with the management of the identification of a product along its lifecycle. The paper aims at discussing an innovative approach to product traceability, based on a holonic definition of the product and its lifecycle. The paper presents a reference metamodel where a 'product holon' is defined – in a whole lifecycle – as a single element, able to merge product's physical part with product information needed for tracing its life.

Computational metrology for the design and manufacture of product geometry : A classification and synthesis

Abstract: The increasing use of advanced measurement tools and technology in industry over the past 30 years has ushered in a new set of challenging computational problems. These problems can be broadly classified as fitting and filtering of discrete geometric data collected by measurements made on manufactured products. Collectively, they define the field of computational metrology for the design specification, production, and verification of product geometry. The fitting problems can be posed and solved as optimization problems; they involve both continuous and combinatorial optimization problems. The filtering problems can be unified under convolution problems, which include convolutions of functions as well as convolutions of sets. This paper presents the status of research and standardization efforts in computational metrology, with an emphasis on its classification and synthesis.

Designing Platforms for Customizable Products and Processes in Markets of Non-Uniform Demand

Abstract: The foremost difficulty in making the transition to mass customization is how to offer product variety affordably. The answer to this quandary lies in the successful management of modularity and commonality in the development of products and their production processes. While several platform design techniques have emerged as a means to offer modularity and commonality, they are limited by an inability to handle multiple modes of offering variety for multiple design specifications. The Product Platform Constructal Theory Method (PPCTM) is a technique that enables a designer to develop platforms for customizable products while handling issues of multiple levels of commonality, multiple product specifications, and the inherent tradeoffs between platform extent and performance. The method is limited, however, by its inability to handle multiple design objectives and its reliance on the assumption that demand in the market is uniform for each product variant. The authors address these limitations in this study...

Product lifecycle information acquisition and management for consumer products

Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to capture and manage the product lifecycle data for consumer products, especially data that occur in distribution, usage, maintenance and end‐of‐life stages, and to use them to provide information and knowledge.Design/methodology/approach – A lifecycle information acquisition and management model is proposed, and an information management system framework is formulated. The information management system developed is then used in actual field trials to manage lifecycle data for refrigeration products and game consoles.Findings – It has been demonstrated that valuable services can be delivered through a lifecycle information management system.Practical implications – Lifecycle information management systems can open new horizons for product design which are sustainable and environmentally sensitive. They also contribute to the wider exploration of eco‐design and development of next generation consumer products (e.g. smart home appliances).Originality/value – Existing lifecycle inf...

The Technical Specification

Abstract: DESCRIPTION: METAL BACKBOX: This sturdy metal backbox protects the speaker from debris and insulation. The V-9915M-5 meets the UL UUMW standard and is typically used in air plenum return ceilings. The V-9915M-5 must be ordered in multiples of 5. METAL BRIDGES: The V-9914M-5 provides a solid mounting structure for 8” ceiling speakers in 2’ x 2’ or 2’ x 4’ ceiling grids. The V-9904M-5 (picture not shown) provides a solid mounting structure for 4” ceiling speakers in 2’ x 2’ or 2’ x 4’ ceiling grids. The steel bridges prevent ceiling tile sag and are coated to inhibit rust. Both the V-9914M-5 and the V-9904M-5 must be ordered in multiples of 5. METAL RING: The V-9912M-10 provides a solid mounting structure for 8” ceiling speakers in hard ceiling types such as drywall or plaster. The steel ring is galvanized to inhibit rust. The V-9912M-10 must be ordered in multiples of 10. COMBINATION: The V-9916M is a single set combination of the above 8” speaker bridge and backbox.

Product representation in lightweight formats for Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)

Abstract: Currently, companies face the unprecedented challenges of the global marketplace, collaborative environments and the entire product lifecycle. There are new requirements for product representations, including: platform/application independence, support for the product lifecycle, rapidly sharing information between geographically distributed applications and users, and protection of commercial security. To meet these, some lightweight representations have been developed and applied in different industries. This paper highlights some limitations in the current applications, and presents a framework of lightweight representations for the product lifecycle. In the proposed framework, a markup method is applied to the whole product lifecycle. The approach is demonstrated with an industrial case study.

Formalisation of product requirements: from natural language descriptions to formal specifications

Abstract: In engineering design, customers usually provide product requirements in the form of a natural language while computer-aided design systems may prefer more formal and structured specifications. In this paper, a formalisation process is proposed to transform product requirements from its natural language descriptions to a formal specification. The formal specification is based on the product environment and the formulation of design problem, which identifies the components included in a design problem in terms of the product environment. Through the lexical, syntactic, and structure analysis of natural language descriptions of a design problem, the formalisation process identifies the product to be designed, its environment components, and their relations. A software prototype is developed to validate the formalisation process. An example of rivet setting tool design shows that both the formalisation process and software prototype are feasible.

Integrated tool support for software product line engineering

Abstract: Product line engineering comprises many heterogeneous activities such as capturing the variability of reusable assets, supporting the derivation of products from the product line, evolving the product line, or tailoring the approach to the specifics of a domain. The inherent complexity of product lines implicates that tool support is inevitable to facilitate smooth performance and to avoid costly errors. Product line engineering tools have to support heterogeneous stakeholders involved in diverse activities. Tool integration therefore is of particular importance to foster their seamless cooperation. However, the integration is difficult to achieve due to the diversity of models and work products. This paper describes the DOPLER tool suite which has been developed to provide such integrated support. The tool suite is flexible and extensible to support domain-specific needs

Method for manufacturing a final product of a target software product

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a Final Product of a Target Software Product based on a specification for the Final Product. The method includes setting-up a software manufacturing environment constructing the Final Product by implementing a Schematic on the Assembly Line, the Schematic designating how the Target Software Product is to be manipulated by the at least one Assembly Station.