Method and Apparatus for Efficient Implementation of Design Changes

A system for allowing users to request new product designs and design changes from a remote location, comprising:

• a network accessible by a user from the remote location;
• a database connected to the network, the database storing design parameters for the product and options for each design parameter;
• and
• a server connected to the database, the server including a processor and a storage medium, the storage medium storing computer-readable instructions that are executable by the processor for causing the server to:
• present a set of design parameters for the product that are available to be changed to the user;
• receive a selected design parameter to be changed from the set of design parameters from the user;
• present a set of options to which the selected design parameter may be changed to the user;
• receive a selected option from the set of options from the user;
• automatically evaluate the selected option against one or more predefined validation rules and/or best practices;
• and
• automatically generate numerically controlled manufacturing information for the product, the numerically controlled manufacturing information reflecting the selected option;
• wherein the set of options to which the selected design parameter may be changed is derived from the selected design parameter.

A method for allowing a user to generate new drill bit designs and drill bit design changes on-the-fly, comprising:

• presenting a plurality of drill bit design parameters that are available to be changed to the user;
• receiving a selected drill bit design parameter to be changed from the plurality of drill bit design parameters from the user;
• presenting a set of drill bit design options to which the selected drill bit design parameter may be changed to the user;
• receiving a selected drill bit design option from the set of drill bit design options from the user;
• evaluating the selected drill bit design option against one or more predefined drill bit design validation rules and/or best practices;
• and
• automatically generating numerically controlled manufacturing information for the drill bit, the numerically controlled manufacturing information reflecting the selected drill bit design option;
• wherein the set of drill bit design options to which the selected design parameter may be changed is derived from the selected drill bit design parameter.