COMPREHENSIVE COST ANALYSIS OF THE TRADEOFFS BETWEEN DESIGN INTENT AND APPLICABLE MANUFACTURING STRATEGIES

摘要

This paper will introduce the concept of a software application that will compare different waysto manufacture composite parts at the earliest stages of design so that it can be manufactured inthe most cost efficient manner. By performing detailed analysis of multiple processes early inthe design stage, engineers can see the implications of their design choices and/or any changes tothe design on the costs of manufacturing. By understanding these conditions, engineers candecide what will be the most cost effective manufacturing strategy to use in final production.Engineers will import design data and resource information (CAD/CAM, FEA, facility layout,etc.) into the software program so that the various designs can be subjected to a variety ofmanufacturing strategies (including but not limited to manufacturing strategies such as CNC androbotic automated fiber placement, automated tape laying, hand-layup, and filament winding,etc…) to determine which one or combination of manufacturing strategies is feasible with themost effective cost and process time. A variety of parameters for each manufacturing strategy(ie. material dimensions, machine feed rates, labor costs, facilities) will be used to make thetradeoff analysis to determine accurate costs and process time. The results will be presented bothgraphically and statistically for analysis and users will be able to modify the design data and runthe analysis again in order to determine the implication of design changes on the costs ofmanufacturing. This process can be done repeatedly until the optimum process and costs havebeen achieved.