Product Variable Optimization for Manufacture
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing design and manufacturing process faces inefficiencies due to mismatches between product design requirements and manufacturer capabilities, leading to delays and re-designs or the need to find new manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that assist users in specifying product attributes for 3D computer models through a user interface, by presenting compatible product variable attributes based on the model's aspects, allowing for optimized manufacturing decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a product is designed with specific requirements and constraints, then the design quality and performance are improved, but the time required for design review and manufacturer capability matching increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary capability matching between design requirements and manufacturer capabilities during the design phase itself, rather than waiting for post-design review. The computer automatically queries manufacturer capabilities and compares them against design constraints, identifying mismatches before finalization and allowing designers to adjust parameters proactively.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated feedback loops where design parameters are continuously evaluated against manufacturer capabilities. The computer provides real-time feedback to designers about capability mismatches, suggesting alternative parameters or manufacturers that can meet the design requirements, thereby reducing iterative review cycles.
2Reliability
If designers manually review design against manufacturer capabilities, then capability matching accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the design process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service capability matching where the computer automatically queries manufacturer capabilities, compares them against design requirements, and identifies mismatches without requiring manual designer intervention. This automated self-service approach maintains high matching accuracy while reducing process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual review process with an automated computer-based system that queries manufacturer capabilities and performs capability matching algorithmically. This substitution eliminates manual complexity while maintaining or improving matching accuracy through systematic automated evaluation.
3Ease of manufacture
If designers re-design products to meet manufacturer capabilities, then manufacturing feasibility is improved, but the productivity and output of the design process decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary capability matching during the design phase, identifying potential manufacturing feasibility issues before finalization. This allows designers to make targeted, minimal adjustments to achieve feasibility rather than extensive re-design, preserving productivity while ensuring manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
When capability mismatches are detected, the system suggests specific parameter changes or alternative configurations that maintain design intent while achieving manufacturing feasibility. This targeted parameter adjustment approach is more efficient than complete re-design, preserving design output and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method carried out on a computer system for receiving information corresponding to a plurality of variables that can be applied to the manufacture of a designed product. When a user selects from a menu of first attributes, related ones of a second set of attributes are presented for selection. In an embodiment, the set of possible manufacturing attributes is initially compared to attributes of the designed product to eliminate from consideration those manufacturing attributes that are not compatible with the attributes of the product.