COOPERATIVE DESIGN UNDER CONCURRENT ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENT

This paper outlines a concurrent engineering environment that supports interaction between members of a geographically dispersed multidisciplinary team who is engaged in engineering design activities. Some ideas of engineering design, especially conceptual design are reviewed. A deeper scientific analysis of intelligent design is discussed. A new problem solving strategy and methodologies to implement cooperative design are proposed. Finally, a conceptual model of a blackboard system for accomplishing conceptual design automation is presented. Its fundamental principles, system organization and key implementation techniques are investigated in detail.

PRODUCT MODELING AND PROCESS PLANNING WITHIN CONCURRENT ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENT

A prodouct modeling and a process planning that are two essential basses of realizing concurrent engineering are investigated , a logical modeling technique , grammar representation scheme of technology knowledge and architecture of expert system for process planning within con- current engineering environment are proposed. They have been utilized in a real reaserch project.

Integrated Assembly Structure Design Within Concurrent Engineering

Taking a microwave product as an example, a system of integrated assembly structure design is presented. Getting design constraints from the upstream design section through product data management(PDM), the system generates the assembly scheme using the case? based method, then assigns the design requirements into each component of the assembly. The detail design for each component can be performed under these design constraints. In order to practise concurrent design, the system sends the final design result to the upstream section and downstream section through PDM to achieve information sharing and integration.

QUANTITATIVE APPROACH TO REAL TIME STARTUP TIME DETERMINATION OF DOWNSTREAM PHASES IN CONCURRENT ENGINEERING

Implementation of simultaneous execution phases in the concurrent engineering (CE) needs careful planning when the downstream phase could be activated as the upstream phase developed to a certain point. The determination of startup time of overlapping jobs in CE has long been a disturbance in manufacturing industry implementing CE programs. A novel model based on both fuzzy logic and neural network is proposed to mathematically formulate the inter-connective information between the two coupled phases in CE projects, and to determine the startup time of downstream phases in real time. The information transferring between the two coupled phases is quantified by using the negative Shannon entropy. Based on this algorithm, a PDM-based framework is proposed to narrow the gap between pro-duct design and manufacture, in which five modules are built to monitor, reshuffle and implement the simultaneous executing processes. Finally, an example is given to illustrate applications of the algorithm in the real world.

Task Decomposition Technique's Deduction and Application of Product Developing Process in Concurrent Engineering

Task decomposition is a kind of powerful technique increasingly being used within industry as a pathway for achieving product's developing success. In this paper, topology's concept in modern mathematics is used for task decomposition technique's deduction in product developing process. It puts fonvard the views of resolvability, measurability and connectivity of tasks and their practi-cal principles. Combined with an example of developing the typical mechanical product, it ex-plains the implementing method of task decomposition in Concurrent Engineering (CE).

Coordination Model for the Concurrent Engineering Product Development Process

The coordination technique of Concurrent Engineering (CE) product development process is studied. This paper analyzes the coordination management objectives of CE product development process, presents a coordination model, and describes the functions and compositions of the key components of this model.

The Development and Realization Mechaismof Concurrent Engineering

Aim To study the development and realization mechanism of concurrent engineering(CE).Methods The realization mechanism based on multi-agent and micro-circulation were dis-cussed.Results The specialties of micro-circulation are wholly adaptable to the circulationtheory and information exchange requirement in CE,which can explain the nature of CEsuccessfully.Conclusion The micro-circulation theory can be adopted as a new realizationmechanism of CE.

A CORBA-Based Integration Platform of Product Development Process Management for Concurrent Engineering

Product development process management plays an important role in concurrent engineering (CE). The integration platform is a useful tool for effectively supporting the software development and integration. Based on the analysis of practical requirements for product development process management for CE, a CORBA-based integration platform of product development process management (IP-PDPM) is designed and developed. The design principles for IP-PDPM are described. The system architecture and functions of the platform are given, the key technologies for the implementation of IP-PDPM are presented, the application integration mechanism and its implementation techniques are also detailed.

Concurrent Engineering oriented Integrated Product Model Based on STEP

In this paper, the generalized feature concept is put forward according to concurrent engineering. An integrated product model is established based on the generalized feature according to STEP in order to provide enrichment information for product concurrent development process. The integration of the information and function of CAD/CAPP can be realized based on the integrated product model that supports concurrent engineering. IPM has been used successfully in product concurrent development.

An Optimized Constraint Decomposition Method in Concurrent Engineering

In order to facilitate solution, a complex problem is normally decomposed into many small sub-problems during product development process. Teams are formed to resolve each sub-problem. The original problem is resolved from solutions of sub-problems. Ideally, sub-problems are not only mutually independent but also inherent parameters of original problem. Solution of original problem can be directly derived from the collection of solutions from simplified sub-problems. In practice, the degree of interdependency is indeed reduced, sub-problems are neither totally independent nor all inherent parameters of original problem. This paper discusses team coordination under this condition and design solution from each team, which not only satisfies total requirements but also is an optimal one. The suggested optimized constraint decomposition method will insure workable Pareto solution.

Product Development Process Simulation for Concurrent Engineering

The simulation of a product development process for concurrent engineering has beenmotivated by the desire to increase productivity by improving the product development pro-cess.In this paper,the IDEF3 process description capture method is discussed.On the basisof IDEF3 method,a simulation system of the product development process for concurrent en-gineering is developed.The architecture of the simulation system is proposed.The simula-tion model is built using object-oriented approach.It employs an event scheduling approachto emulate the product development process.The simulation mechanism based on messagepassing:is also presented.

e-LITE:A Concurrent Engineering Method Dedicated to E-learning Training Development for the Enhancement of Research Project Results

Scientific research projects aim to produce new knowledge generally in domains of high specialization.Some of these projects have goals of improving the performance of companies.In this case,the issues of the capitalization and transfer of scientific knowledge and its rapid transformation into professional skills are directly addressed.However,there is no method to derive e-learning teaching material from project results.So,this paper presents the e-LITE Method and its application to the ISTA3 project to support the process of developing a e-learning training.This application has allowed us to highlight the contributions of the method that promotes better knowledge sharing between partners of a research project and the development and transfer of research results to the professional world.So,after the presentation of the method,an application to the ISTA3 project will be presented.

A Reference Framework for Concurrent Engineering

Considering the diversity of methods and tools offered to concurrent engineering, the aspects playing important roles in the concurrent engineering context have been pinpointed as being four core elements which are Activity, Method, Object and Information. Based on these four elements, a reference framework called AMOI is proposed to be the guideline for the systematic concurrent product design. Using the AMOI reference framework, concurrent product development system can be structured into four function models (including the activity model, method model, object model and information model) which are interconnected with each other.

An Overview of Concurrent Engineering Research and Its Industrial Implementation in Chinese Enterprises

Concurrent Engineering (CE) is an effective way for enterprises to reengineer the product development processes and to improve the product development abilities. In this paper, the existing status of product development in Chinese manufacturing industry is analyzed, and the requirements of manufacturing technology for them are investigated. An overview of our CE R&D work is introduced, including product modeling, DFA, DFM, QFD, PDM, and other enabling technologies. A case study of the CE pilot project is discussed. The industrial implementation and application in Chinese enterprises are summarized.

Application of Management Information System Planning in Concurrent Engineering for Wooden Furniture Industry

This research is a development in management information system （MIS） planning based on operation analysis and development according to concurrent engineering approach and reestablishment of database management. According to our case study industry, such industry currently used traditional network systems such as LAN, and ＂Bus Network＂ Network Topology. Client/Server distributed computing has a problem with database management in data redundancy, data inconsistency, and data independency. For Network Topology, Bus Network has problem with multitasking since the network are able to handle only a set of data at a time so the traffic problem will occur when multiple users request for the service. Thus, such condition is inconsistent with concurrent engineering which must be able to access the data simultaneously. As a consequence, this study develops a network system, network system of working system, using LAN and ＂Star Network＂ network topology. The file server processing distributed is an application while database is stored in host computer or file server but the data will be processed in users＇ computer. When the user needs to access the data, file server will send it to the user and the user can further analysis or manage such data in the user computer, so called ＂Hierarchical Database Model＂. Hierarchical database structure is easily developed like general organization command structure with different level of responsibility. In details, the data level in the database is divided into three levels including DBI, DB2, and DB3, so development of simultaneously systemic flow and access of various critical data is performed in parallel. Furthermore, this is consistent with access of all three data levels including： Level 1 is overall dataflow of both inside and outside the organization; Level 2 is dataflow of each division in the organization; and Level 3 is dataflow of subunit in each division in the organization. After systemize flow and access of data with concurrent engineering as mentioned, it provided optimal efficiency in the whole production system management reducing loss in the whole system of the organization

Concurrent Design Study of the Petroleum Equipment CAD System

Military petroleum equipment, as the special device a nd tool for petroleum storage, transportation, filling, chemical analysis, detec tion and maintenance for the army, is an important means and basis of petroleum indemnificatory. To adapt to modern war in high-tech conditions, the petroleum equipment have to develop towards higher reliability, adaptability, maneuverabil ity, standardization, container and cell type with versatile multi-functions. As a new design theory and design process, concurrent engineering may prod uce remarkable benefit when applying to product development. With the aid of the state-of-the-art modeling and simulation technology, it foresees the future or even the whole life cycle of the products designed. Based on wide statistics and survey, the product design period is reduced by 1/2～1/3 with concurrent des i gn process. The application of concurrent design process in new petroleum equi pment development shall greatly accelerate the petroleum equipment updating an d promote their indemnificatory.

Feature Relationship and Process Planning

Concurrent engineering(CE)involves the consideration during the design phase of the various factors associated with the life cycle of the product.Using the principle of CE,a feature-based CAPP system is proposed.On the basis of feature modeling,the system is able to reason feature relationships,produce feature digraph of a part,and decide the machining sequence of features.

A New Method for Optimum Allocation of Design Requirements in Aircraft Conceptual Design

A new method, Collaborative Allocation （CA）, is proposed to solve the large-scale optimum allocation problem in aircraft conceptual design. According to the characteristics of optimum allocation in aircraft conceptual design. The principle and mathematical model of CA are established. The optimum allocation problem is decomposed into one main optimization problem and several sub-optimization problems. A group of design requirements for subsystems are provided by the main system respectively, and the subsystems execute their own optimizations or further provide the detailed design requirements to the bottom components of aircraft, such as spars, ribs and skins, etc. The subsystems minimize the discrepancy between their own local variables and the corresponding allocated values, and then return the optimization results to main optimization. The main optimization is performed to reallocate the design requirements for improving the integration performance and progressing toward the compatibilities among subsystems. CA provides the general optimum allocation architecture and is easy to be carried out. Furthermore, the concurrent computation can also be realized. Two examples of optimum reliability allocation are used to describe the implementation procedure of CA for two-level allocation and three-level allocation respectively, and to validate preliminarily its correctness and effectiveness. It is shown that the developed method can be successfully used in optimum allocation of design requirements. Then taking weight requirement allocation as example, the mathematical model and solution procedure for collaborative allocation of design requirements in aircraft conceptual design are briefly depicted.

CONCURRENT PRODUCTION ENGINEERING SYSTEM FOR BUFFER SIZE AND FLEXIBLE TRANSFER LINE LAYOUT DESIGN

In this paper we propose a COncurrent Production Engineering System （COPES） for the flexible transfer line （FTL） layout design in a restricted area. COPES first determines the buffer size in front of the bay of each machine tool in the FTL and then initializes a computer aided design （CAD） system to draw the FTL in a restricted area. We develop a set of modules systems which have been integrated into a single framework, in accordance with the practice of concurrent engineering. Concurrent engineering involves the cooperation of these activities. It＇s expected that the developed COPES can improve the cooperation between production engineers＇ and the plant designer. This can be done by enabling the production engineers＇ to make better decision regarding FTL buffer size.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT THROUGH INTEGRATION OF QUALITY TOOLS

The relationship between major quality tools such as quality function development （QFD）, failure mode and effects analysis （FMEA）, design of experiments （DOE） and statistical process control （SPC） is analyzed through an extensive review of the literature and the concurrent quality engineering philosophy, and a basic structure for the integration of quality tools is presented. An integrated quality management system （IQMS） is developed using C＋＋ Builder, running in the Windows 2000 Server environment with the basic internet connections, and SQL Server 2000 as the platform for developing the database, An illustrative example applying IQMS to the continuous quality improvement for a crane equipment manufacturing is reported. The result shows that the application of IQMS can optimize the process of design and manufacturing, shorten the cycle time of product, reduce the cost, and realize quality improvement continuously, The proposed integrated framework with IOMS is believed to be applicable to continuous quality improvement in many manufacturing companies.