CAD Model Parsing for Automated Supplier Capability Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current process of selecting a manufacturer for product fabrication is inefficient, as it often requires manual requests for pricing, leading to delays and inconsistencies due to varying methods and inputs used by different suppliers, making it difficult to determine how design elements influence prices.
Innovation Solution
A computer system that parses software models of products to generate manufacturing requirements, compares these requirements with supplier capabilities, and determines the best-suited suppliers by analyzing geometric aspects and manufacturing parameters, thereby automating the supplier selection process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual requests for pricing are sent to suppliers, then supplier selection can be performed, but delays and inconsistencies occur due to varying methods and inputs used by different suppliers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of sending RFPs and receiving pricing with an automated computer-based system. The system automatically parses CAD models, extracts manufacturing requirements, compares them against supplier capabilities databases, and generates pricing comparisons without human intervention in the communication loop.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the manufacturing requirements to be automatically extracted from the CAD model itself. The computer system independently parses the model, identifies required manufacturing parameters, and matches them with supplier capabilities without requiring supplier interpretation or manual data entry.
2Measurement precision
If manual requests for pricing are sent to suppliers, then supplier selection can be performed, but inconsistencies arise due to varying methods and inputs used by different suppliers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms pricing comparisons from variable, supplier-specific methods into standardized parameter-based comparisons. By extracting specific manufacturing parameters from the CAD model (such as geometry, material, tolerances, quantities) and comparing them against standardized supplier capability parameters, the system ensures consistent, apples-to-apples pricing comparisons.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a universal framework that works with multiple suppliers using different pricing methods. The computer system serves multiple functions: parsing CAD models, extracting manufacturing requirements, storing supplier capabilities in a standardized database, comparing requirements against capabilities, and generating pricing comparisons - all through a single integrated process that handles diverse suppliers uniformly.
3Productivity
If manual RFP processes are used, then suppliers can be evaluated, but additional work and expense are required from users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex RFP process work from the user and transfers it to the computer system. The system automatically performs model parsing, requirement extraction, supplier capability matching, and pricing comparison - removing these labor-intensive tasks from manual user execution while maintaining the essential evaluation function.
4Adaptability or versatility
If manufacturer-specific constraints are imposed on product design, then design freedom is reduced, but design can be optimized for specific manufacturing capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic system where manufacturing constraints are not fixed but adaptively applied based on the selected supplier's capabilities. The computer system stores different capability profiles for multiple suppliers and dynamically matches design requirements against the most appropriate supplier's capabilities, allowing design freedom to be maintained while achieving manufacturing optimization through intelligent matching rather than rigid constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method carried out on a computer system for parsing a software model to identify manufacturing requirements for a designed product and comparing those requirements, along with received user preferences. to corresponding attribute information from potential suppliers that is stored on a database, so as to automatically select a preferred supplier.