A methodology and computational framework for concurrent product and process design

Abstract

We describe a methodology for Concurrent Product and Process Design and a computational framework that supports it. The methodology is based on the premise that manufacturability is best assured by simultaneously designing a part or assembly and the process used to fabricate it. The designer works in “manufacturing modes”, adding features to the design or manipulating the process plan itself. The computational framework to support this methodology is inspired by human team design and consists of cooperating experts (human and computational) that critique and refine a design from multiple perspectives (e.g. tooling, fixturing, path planning, materials).