TOWARDS AN ENVIRONMENT FOR THE INTEGRATION OF ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

In recent years, the major emphasis of CIM research and development activity has been in the area of automated manufacturing, where technical and economic feasibility is critical for a viable CIM environment. However, to achieve a truly integrated manufacturing environment, it is necessary to integrate design activities into the structure. Although computers have been used for many years in the design process the present situation is not satisfactory, particularly for small and medium-sized industries. In most cases, computer-aided drafting tools are provided, but they are seldom integrated into the design process and the dependent analysis tools are still only available via separate and frequently unrelated analysis codes. Possible ways of improving the situation are discussed: these include improving the robustness of analysis codes by error estimation, adaptive meshing and postprocessing features, and providing an effective integrated environment, with drafting and design tools. © 1990.