An object-oriented constraints-based system for concurrent product development

This research work aims to develop an intelligent constraint-based system that enables designers to consider at the early stages of the design process all activities associated with product's life cycle. One of the most important aspects of these activities is the evaluation and optimisation of manufacturing processes that require various type of information from the different aspects of product's life cycle. This research article discusses the development of a prototype system for manufacturing process optimisation using a combination of both mathematical methods and constraint-programming techniques. This approach enables designers to evaluate and optimise feasible manufacturing professes in a consistent manner as early as possible during the design process. This helps in avoiding unexpected design iterations that wastage a great amount of time and effort, leading to longer lead-time. The development process has passed through the five major stages: Firstly, an intelligent constraint-based design system for concurrent product and process design has been developed. Secondly, a manufacturing process optimisation module has been constructed. Thirdly, the product features, processes, cost, time and constraints to be used for carrying out various design tasks has been represented in the format of constraints, frames, objects, and rules. Fourthly, the process optimisation and evaluation rules for the selection of feasible processes for complex features, and finally, the information management system that ensures consistency in information exchange and decision making activities have been developed. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.