Collaborative CAD Platform for Concurrent Design Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for methods and systems that allow consumers to collaboratively design objects using computer-aided design (CAD) software, manage concurrent design processes, and facilitate the marketing and sale of designs, while also enabling the fabrication of prototypes or finished products through 3-D printing, as existing technologies do not adequately support collaborative design and commercialization by non-industry professionals.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a first computer system, a second computer system, an application server hosting a collaborative design software application, and a web server providing an interface for users to access and modify design templates, allowing for collaborative design, testing, and commercialization of designs, with features like social networking, crowd-source collaboration, and 3-D printing integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If CAD software and hardware become available to more users, then accessibility and ease of operation improve, but managing concurrent design processes and collaboration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that hosts the design software application and manages concurrent design processes. The server mediates between multiple users, handling collaboration, file management, and design process coordination, thereby reducing the complexity burden on individual user systems while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The design software application is made universal by hosting it on a server that can serve multiple users simultaneously. The system provides multi-functional capabilities including concurrent design management, collaboration tools, file sharing, and integration with 3-D printing services, allowing a single system to handle diverse design needs across multiple users.
2Reliability
If collaborative design features are added to allow users to work together, then design quality and innovation improve, but system complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as a mediator that handles all collaborative interactions between users. It manages simultaneous access to design files, coordinates edits, and resolves conflicts, thereby enabling high-quality collaborative design without requiring complex collaboration management at the user level.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where users can view real-time or versioned changes made by other collaborators. The server tracks design modifications and provides feedback to all participants, enabling coordinated improvement of design quality while maintaining system simplicity through centralized management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If design templates are made modifiable by multiple users, then adaptability and versatility improve, but manufacturing precision and design consistency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes base design templates with predefined structures and constraints before users begin customization. These pre-configured templates ensure that all designs start with consistent, manufacturing-ready foundations, while users can then apply modifications within the collaborative framework without compromising overall precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The server mediates between user customizations and manufacturing requirements. It manages version control, tracks modifications, and ensures that design changes maintain consistency with manufacturing specifications, thereby allowing high adaptability while preserving manufacturing precision through centralized oversight.
4Productivity
If 3-D printing integration is added to enable rapid prototyping, then productivity improves, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the design software application with 3-D printing services into an integrated system. The server hosts both the CAD software and connects to 3-D printing services, allowing users to transition seamlessly from digital design to physical prototyping without leaving the platform, thereby improving productivity while managing complexity through unified architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary that manages the interface between design software and 3-D printing services. It handles file format conversions, prepares design data for printing, and coordinates the manufacturing process, enabling rapid prototyping while abstracting the complexity of system integration from end users.
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
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AI summary
A system for computer-aided design of an object, including a first computer system operated by a first user, a second computer system operated by a second user, an application server hosting a design software application, and a web server providing an interface for at least the first user to access the design software application. The design software application may be configured to receive a first input comprising a first modification to a design template or creating a new design from the first computer system, receive a second input comprising a second modification to the design template from second computer system, and modify the design template based on the first and second modifications to generate a modified design.