A survey and evaluation of microbased computer aided design systems for design education and practice in Scotland primarily in the area of product design: their application, problems and potential solutions

The initial premise of the research centred around the relatively new adoption by the Product Design sector of Computer Aided Design technology. Problems were expected to occur in applying the hardware and understanding the terminology of the software by this sector which prides itself In its artisan skills. The aim of the work was to determine the extent of the adoption of Computer Aided Design and to clarify the problem areas. The research determined, by study of more experienced but similar Computer Aided Design users, that the expected problems Were not insurmountable and were being overcome by the constant improvements of computer hardware and software. However, the problems that were pinpointed actually involved the human issues encountered In working with a Computer Aided Design system and involved issues such as the management skills required, working conditions and understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of Computer Aided Design. The research focused on what had to be considered and what should be known about Computer Aided Design so that it could be effectively used in Product Design. The research was undertaken to establish general solutions to the introduction of Computer Aided Design into companies. These solutions are intended to provide a guide to potential and current users on how to improve the effectiveness of the use of Computer Aided Design systems in Product Design. The research has identified the themes and topics that should be covered in training staff on the use and potential of Computer Aided Design systems

Past, present and future of information and knowledge sharing in the construction industry: Towards semantic service-based e-construction

The paper reviews product data technology initiatives in the construction sector and provides a synthesis of related ICT industry needs. A comparison between (a) the data centric characteristics of Product Data Technology (PDT) and (b) ontology with a focus on semantics, is given, highlighting the pros and cons of each approach. The paper advocates the migration from data-centric application integration to ontology-based business process support, and proposes inter-enterprise collaboration architectures and frameworks based on semantic services, underpinned by ontology-based knowledge structures. The paper discusses the main reasons behind the low industry take up of product data technology, and proposes a preliminary roadmap for the wide industry diffusion of the proposed approach. In this respect, the paper stresses the value of adopting alliance-based modes of operation

The implementation of CAD/CAM systems in the metalworking industries

This thesis reports on a case survey of 15 UK metalworking companies and their experience of implementing an integrating technology - CAD/CAM. The thesis places this process of implementation in the organisational context of these companies by examining the ways in which the engineering/manufacturing interface is coordinated. This interface is important, because it is also critical to the effective implementation of such techniques as total quality management and simultaneous engineering. In order to develop an incisive analysis of these companies, a contingency approach to organisational analysis is developed around the idea of flows of information and materials and their interaction with the structure of the organisation in a process of structuration. This analysis is placed in the strategic context of the organisations' relationships to their environment through the notion of a production strategy. Models of the process of implementation are then reviewed, and a recursive model of implementation as organisational changing is developed which emphasises the processes of organisational learning. The management of the engineering design process has been little examined, in comparison to the management of manufacturing, and research and development. This thesis develops an analysis of the management of the entire production process from the conception of the product right through to its delivery to the customer in these 15 firms. It then goes on to examine the recent organisational changes in the engineering and manufacturing functions before examining the implementation process in detail. Finally, the basis of organisational integration from both a technological and organisational perspective is analysed, which provides the basis for some more general propositions on the development of production management over the next decade

Implementing computer aided design in small businesses

The lack of real and speedy success in the implementation of Computer Aided Design (CAD) in small firms has been a cause for concern for the author for some years. Whilst much has been written about the implementation of Management Information Systems and about Advanced Manufacturing Technology in large firms, the literature on small firms is very sparse, and the implementer has nowhere to go for guidance. This research looks at the implementation of CAD in six small firms against the background of the current literature in associated areas. It focusses on the aspects of implementation most commonly featured in the implementation texts, developing some 32 Propositions on the basis of the six cases.A review of the propositions suggests a parallel between their sequence and what may be regarded as a "traditional" business plan, which addresses the questions:- where are we now? - where do we want to go?- how do we plan to get there?- what steps must we take?- how will we know when we get there? The link between the propositions and the structure is strong, and the consequence is clear. If the propositions indicate a structure, then a structure developed specifically to incorporate the propositions should result in a methodology for implementation. The framework for this methodology is developed, based upon five phases or stages:- strategy- company audit- design- action- review. The framework has been tested and amended, and the inputs to the phases have been identified. Sources for these inputs have also been specified where necessary. The framework provides a significant step forward in the understanding of Computer Aided Design implementation in small firms. In particular:- it is constructed using "hard" data- it provides guidance on a "best" way of implementing- it forms the basis of an implementation "toolkit"- it addresses the needs of the small firm, which can least afford specialist help and can least afford failure

Computer graphics standards for man modelling

The human being is arguably one of the most nonstandard and unpredictable components of all systems. Thus, in many application areas of computer-aided design, there is a need to model the physical aspects of humans alongside models of workplace and equipment. The paper briefly describes the Sammie systems, a long-established and succesful computer-aided design system that has fulfilled this requirement across a wide range of application areas. Recently, much development work has been aimed at incorporating a range of graphics and data-exchange standards into the Sammie software. These experiences are described, together with observations on their apparent limitations and advantages. In particular, the Programmer's Hierarchical Interactive Graphics System (Phigs), its extension to Phigs-Plus, the Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM), the Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (iges), and X-Windows with the Phigs extension (Pex) are considered