Engineering III

Concurrent Explained

Concurrent engineering design is done in a comprehensive team environment. The team consists of designers, engineers, drafters, and others associated with the overall design, manufacturing, marketing, and servicing of the product.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 1. Lines of Communication within Concurrent Engineering Design.

 

 H. In addition to the basic functional and aesthetic design concepts, the team considers important issues such as manufacturability, quality, life cycle, costs, and whether the finished product will meet the original design objectives.

 

 I. In concurrent engineering design, a comprehensive 3D CAD and computerized engineering database serves as the nucleus for all aspects of design, manufacture, and marketing of the product.

      1. The database can be accessed by anyone on the design team.

      2. The team members do not have to be at the same location. They can be anywhere in the world.

 

 J. Concurrent engineering is concerned with making better products in less time, so continuous quality improvement techniques are practiced throughout the product’s life cycle.

      1. The product’s life cycle is its total life, from the conception of the idea to the recycling of the materials from which it is made.

      2. The life cycle is considered as early as possible.

 

Concurrent Engineering Design Model

Ideation, refinement, and implementation are the three overlapped areas of concurrent engineering design.

        1. Ideation is a structured approach to thinking for the purpose of solving a problem. Ideation is the beginning phase where the design problem is identified, preliminary solutions are developed and the preliminary design is agreed upon.

               a. Problem Identification includes activities such as:

                    i. writing a problem statement

                    ii. conducting research

                    iii. gathering data

                    iv. defining objectives for the project

                    v. determining limitations of the design

                    vi. outlining a reasonable schedule

               b. Preliminary Ideas includes activities such as:

                    i. writing and collecting notes about the project

                    ii. creating sketches and/or models of the design

                    iii. brainstorming design ideas

                    iv. synthesizing the design ideas

               c. Preliminary Design includes:

                    i. evaluating preliminary ideas

                    ii. selecting a design

 

       2. Refinement follows the ideation process. It is a repetitive process used to test the preliminary design. It includes preparation of models and prototypes, thorough physical, production, and legal analysis of the design, and design visualization, or analysis of the aesthetics.

               a. Modeling – this includes geometric modeling, simulation, animation, and developing charts, graphs and diagrams.

               b. Design Analysis – this area includes material property analysis, mechanism analysis, functional analysis, and human factors analysis.

               c. Design Visualization – design visualization includes rapid prototyping, manufacturing visualization, and simulations.

 

 

       3. Implementation is the final phase of concurrent engineering design. It involves careful analysis of production, financing, servicing, documenting, final planning, and life cycle issues.

Because the phases overlap and the entire team works on every element of the design, there is significant improvement in quality and a reduction in project time, cost and changes during production.