Jordan J. Cox

Reverse engineering of geometric models—an introduction

In many areas of industry, it is desirable to create geometric models of existing objects for which no such model is available. This paper reviews the process of reverse engineering of shapes. After identifying the purpose of reverse engineering and the main application areas, the most important algorithmic steps are outlined and various reconstruction strategies are presented. Pros and cons of various data acquisition techniques are described with related problems of boundary representation model construction. Specific issues addressed include characterization of geometric models and related surface representations, segmentation and surface fitting for simple and free-form shapes, multiple view combination and creating consistent and accurate B-rep models. The limitations of currently known solutions are also described, and we point out areas in which further work is required before reverse engineering of shape becomes a practical, widely-available engineering tool.

Space-filling curves in tool-path applications

Abstract Several methods have been developed for the computerized generation of space-filling curves, but these curves have never been used for NC tool-path generation. The paper discusses the application of space-filling curves as tool paths for sculptured-surface machining. Tool paths that are space-filling curves, single-direction conventional paths, and 2-direction conventional paths are compared. The efficiency ratings of the paths require further testing, but the preliminary conclusions are favourable for space-filling curves.

Applying principles of mass customization to improve the empirical product development process

Applying methods of mass customization to the empirical process can improve product development process efficiency and reduce time and cost. Empirical methods are used to develop predictions of product behavior in conjunction with analytical methods or instead of analytical methods. These empirical methods represent a complete sub-product development process within the overall product development process. Application of process decomposition and planning used in mass customization can improve the efficiency, lower the time and cost of these empirical processes. This paper presents a method for applying principles of mass customization to the empirical sub-processes within a product development process. Two case studies are also presented to demonstrate the method.

A dynamic workflow framework for mass customization using web service and autonomous agent techniques

Custom software development and maintenance is one of the key expenses associated with developing automated systems for mass customization. This paper presents a method for reducing the risk associated with this expense by developing a flexible environment for determining and executing dynamic workflow paths. Strategies for developing an autonomous agent-based framework and for identifying and creating web services for specific process tasks are presented. The proposed methods are outlined in two different case studies to illustrate the approach for both a generic process with complex workflow paths and a more specific sequential engineering process.

The product design generator: a system for producing design variants

This paper presents a new design system, called a Product Design Generator (PDG). A PDG is a computer-based tool that is used to automatically create all of the design artifacts and supporting necessary information for the design of a customised product to meet the specific customers needs. The PDG works by transforming a set of customer requirements into finished designs that meet those requirements. It integrates existing computer design and information management tools to produce design variants with demonstrated productivity increases of at least two orders of magnitude. The PDG captures current design methods in a reusable form to improve the productivity in the design process. Because these best practices are reusable, the consistency and repeatability of the design process are increased. This system has the potential to transform our one-at-a-time system into a factory capable of producing customised designs for the masses.

Virtual Product Development Models: Characterization of Global Geographic Issues

Because product development processes now take place within a geographically diverse international community, global geographic issues relating to both physical and human elements of geography must be considered to ensure optimal deployment through means of virtual product development. Virtual product development is a strategy that preplans the product development process through simulation. Generating all possible product development process designs and simulations through virtual product development makes it possible to determine the optimal deployment option. In order to optimize in deployment, it is necessary to score each configuration based on a series of metrics that measure issues relevant to and affecting deployment. This paper presents a method by which global geographic issues may be effectively characterized in order to accurately represent their role in and influence on the product development process prior to deployment.

Articulation of Customizable Biomechanical Designs through Assembly Modeling

AbstractThe modeling and assembly of devices that interface with the human body pose unique design problems due to the complexity of human surfaces, the absence of traditional mechanical design techniques that apply to biomechanical design, and the lack of parametric strategies for biomechanical products. This paper presents a design strategy that utilizes top-down assembly modeling techniques using human scan data as the base part in an assembly. This method allows for the identification of mating conditions of products, the product-human interfaces, and aids in defining geometric relationships between product geometry and the human body. This method also identifies parametric strategies that utilize these geometric relationships to allow for the exploration of mass customization for products that interface with the human body.

Exploring diverse process and team alternatives through virtual process simulation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a virtual process simulation technique for modeling process alternatives.Design/methodology/approach – The paper proposes modeling method and applies it to an illustrative example.Findings – The method is effective in modeling the illustrative example and provides a method for studying team composition and dynamics a priori.Practical implications – The paper presents an approach to model process alternatives in order to select the best deployment option. The modeling process incorporates measures and metrics relating to global geographic and team issues. Incorporation of these issues affords the process designer the ability to predict more accurately the most successful deployment option.Originality/value – The research contributes to the study of process modeling by examining the potentially neglected or ignored issues relating to geographic and team diversity.

Product Templates A Parametric Approach to Mass Customization

Global economies are causing major changes in product development today. Traditional mass production approaches cannot meet market demands for speed, cost, and quality, but most importantly the added customer requirement for additional flexibility in product offerings. At the same time, research in solid modeling techniques conducted during the last two decades has provided a new technology generation in Computer-Aided-Design (CAD). This technology generation, commonly referred to as the “third-generation” is characterized as parametric CAD. Solid models can be created in such a way that the model creation operations can be re-executed with new values for the defining parameters of the associated geometric features. This allows updating of the solid model to new customizable configurations. Drawings, tool-paths, and other documents can be associated to these models to provide a semiautomatic method for parametrically modifying all the models and documents associated with a given product. This seems to be a technology that could facilitate the need in industry for mass customization.

Analyzing process uncertainty through virtual process simulation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose virtual process simulation as a technique for identifying and analyzing uncertainty in processes. Uncertainty is composed of both risks and opportunities.Design/methodology/approach – Virtual process simulation involves the creation of graphical models representing the process of interest and associated tasks. Graphical models representing the resources (e.g. people, facilities, tools, etc.) are also created. The members of the resources graphical models are assigned to process tasks in all possible combinations. Secondary calculi, representing uncertainty, are imposed upon these models to determine scores. From the scores, changes in process structure or resource allocation can be used to manage uncertainty.Findings – The example illustrates the benefits of utilizing virtual process simulation in process pre‐planning. Process pre‐planning can be used as part of strategic or operational uncertainty management.Practical implications – This paper presents an...