Review of research in feature-based design

Research in feature-based design is reviewed. Feature-based design is regarded as a key factor towards CAD/CAPP integration from a process planning point of view. From a design point of view, feature-based design offers possibilities for supporting the design process better than current CAD systems do. The evolution of feature definitions is briefly discussed. Features and their role in the design process and as representatives of design-objects and design-object knowledge are discussed. The main research issues related to feature-based design are outlined. These are: feature representation, features and tolerances, feature validation, multiple viewpoints towards features, features and standardization, and features and languages. An overview of some academic feature-based design systems is provided. Future research issues in feature-based design are outlined. The conclusion is that feature-based design is still in its infancy, and that more research is needed for a better support of the design process and better integration with manufacturing, although major advances have already been made

Integration of a Manufacturing Model with State-of-the-art PDM System

Product Data Management (PDM) systems and manufacturing models operate independently does not constitute powerful solution in a distributed and collaborative product development and manufacturing environment. In addition there is also lack of research issues addressing the implementation of conceptual design and process planning stage to utilise PDM system, which offering collaborative development in a World Wide Web. To ensure competitive advantage, comprehensive system integration is needed in order to support and enhance the product development and manufacturing activities. This paper focuses on research concerned with providing this level of support through the use of an in-house manufacturing model and a commercially available PDM system. In particular it focuses on fundamental concept of the overall system integration ideas and methodologies. The manufacturing model and PDM system are based upon, respectively, the CAPABLE Aggregate Process Planning System developed by Design and Manufacturing Group, University of Durham and PTC Windchill

Development and characterisation of lithographically printed voltaic cells

This paper reports progress in the fabrication of voltaic cells and batteries via offset lithographic printing. Successful design and manufacture of lithographically printed voltaic cells would facilitate the integration of printed passive components, interconnects and display elements for disposable electronics in low-volume, low weight circuits and systems. The conductive lithographic film (CLF) printing process was developed by Brunel University to fabricate circuit interconnect and various passive components at high speed and low cost. A feasibility study, investigating printed cells based on zinc-carbon electrochemistry, is described. This has resulted in the production of a printed battery able to power a microcontroller-driven LED display system for more than three hours. Further work seeks to improve cell capacity, address manufacturing process issues, and characterise the structures in more detail

PLM-MES Integration: A Case-Study in Automotive Manufacturing

Part 14: Design and Integration IssuesInternational audienceNowadays, the development of high-quality, highly-innovative products is mandatory to satisfy the market requests. To support this process, the deployment of IT tools, such as Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), is necessary. However, the efficacy of such instruments can be increased if they are able to exchange information with each other. Such integration provides the designers with a feedback from the shop-floor: this allows to improve the quality of the product and the performance of the process, as well as to quickly react to solve possible issues. To emphasize the benefits of PLM-MES integration, a case-study in the field of automotive components manufacturing is provided: the MES is equipped with a real-time algorithm to control possible drifts of a monitoring system for a laser welding process. In case of process instabilities, the design department is immediately informed to evaluate possible solutions, and the critical event is tracked into the PLM

Development of step-compliant system for turn-mill operations

Today with the latest technology the information beyond tool movement and switching instruction such as tooling, manufacturing features and process sequences are needed to support global adaptability for manufacturing with a specific focus on CNC-based manufacture. This research focuses on the use of the new standard; ISO 14649 (STEP-NC), to address the process planning and machining of discrete turn/mill components and proposes a STEP Compliant NC structure for generation of ISO 14646 code which can be used for turning component manufacture. The novel application of this work is STEP-NC compliant process control where the research will utilise and extend the standard for in process measurement at the machine and also explore the application and integration of the STEP-NC standards. The major contribution of this research is the review of a computational environment for a STEPNC compliant system for turn/mill operations by focusing the outlines of the three major CAD/CAM frameworks to support the implementation of the standard with various levels of STEP compliant architecture. Issues related to the implementation of these frameworks and their use with STEP compliant NC controllers provide a major change in the current day use of CAD, CAPP, CAM and CNC systems. This change will bring new challenges to industrial users and software vendors to identify the new boundaries and define intelligent CNC manufacture in the 21st century

Barriers Hindering an Efficient Implementation Process of Digital Technologies; a Case Study at Norwegian Manufacturing Companies

The existing wave of improvement in manufacturing industry is strongly driven by the application of digital technologies. Unfortunately, the implementation process is not straightforward. To understand the barriers which hinder a smooth implementation process is essential for successful implementation of digital technologies. Our study aims to identify the major barriers based on a case study performed at six Norwegian manufacturing companies, to know what to solve enabling a smoother implementation process. The findings shows that both technical and organizational aspects are of importance to consider, where the organizational aspects are seen as the most underestimated. The lack of digital competence alongside underestimated need for organizational development of involved people emerges as prominent barriers. Some technical problems were also pertinent, like system integration. Sharing of data was seen as a potential asset, but both legal, strategic and technical issues hampered this. The results of this study may help managers and practitioners to address the major barriers highlighted, paving the way for successful implementation and integration of digital technologies in the manufacturing industry.acceptedVersio

Rapid manufacturing – impact on supply chain methodologies and practice

This paper demonstrates the use of Rapid Manufacturing (RM) as the enabling technology for flexible manufacturing in a number of industrial sectors. The paper discusses the evolution of Rapid Prototyping (RP) to Rapid Manufacturing and the current issues that require further research for the successful integration of this technology within manufacturing companies. The use of RM will have particular impact on supply chain management paradigms such as lean and agile and has particular strategic fit with mass customisation. The effect RM will have on these paradigms is discussed and confirmed with example cases from automotive production, motor sport and medical devices industries. In conclusion RM has already been shown in the three cases to offer benefits, particularly where fast re-configuration of the manufacturing process is required and with the production of customised components

Advances in Manufacturing, Production Management and Process Control: Proceedings of the AHFE 2020 Virtual Conferences on Human Aspects of Advanced Manufacturing, Advanced Production Management and Process Control, and Additive Manufacturing, Modeling Systems and 3D Prototyping, July 16–20, 2020, USA

This book discusses the latest advances in the broadly defined field of advanced manufacturing and process control. It reports on cutting-edge strategies for sustainable production and product life cycle management, and on a variety of people-centered issues in the design, operation and management of manufacturing systems and processes. Further, it presents digital modeling systems and additive manufacturing technologies, including advanced applications for different purposes, and discusses in detail the implementation of and challenges imposed by 3D printing technologies. Based on three AHFE 2020 Conferences (the AHFE 2020 Virtual Conference on Human Aspects of Advanced Manufacturing, the AHFE 2020 Virtual Conference on Advanced Production Management and Process Control and the AHFE 2020 Virtual Conference on Additive Manufacturing, Modeling Systems and 3D Prototyping, the book merges ergonomics research, design applications, and up-to-date analyses of various engineering processes. It brings together experimental studies, theoretical methods and best practices, highlights future trends and suggests directions for further technological developments and the improved integration of technologies and humans in the manufacturing industry

Evaluation of the Impact of an Additive Manufacturing Enhanced CubeSat Architecture on the CubeSat Development Process

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a fabrication method ideally suited to low-quantity, highly customized builds, leading to interest in its application to satellite development and manufacturing, where each build is unique. Due to the issues of long development schedules and high development and manufacturing costs, methods are needed in the CubeSat development process to reduce the weight and volume of subsystems and decrease integration time. The work develops an architecture for an AM-augmented CubeSat and examines the AM techniques of embedded electronics, embedded thrusters, and custom radiation-hardened materials can impact the subsystems of a CubeSat. The AM-augmented architecture shows a shift in CubeSat development and manufacturing from a modular approach to an integrated approach where most of the CubeSats internal bus components, such as electronics, thrusters, and propulsion, are integrated directly into the structure. This integrated approach results in decreased time spent in assembly and integration, decreased mass and volume, and also allows for key components to be embedded in materials with improved radiation attenuation characteristics