Concurrent engineering design tool and method

A computer-based design method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a set of materials to make a part;
• selecting a preferred one of the set of materials to make the part;
• determining a set of design constraints as a function of characteristics of the preferred one of the set of materials;
• and
• simultaneously designing, within the set of design constraints, a part that is made from the selected material, a tool to make the part and a process to make the part, wherein the part, the tool and the process are simultaneously designed using at least one feature data record stored in a computer memory, each feature data record representing a primitive object having a predetermined function, each feature data record including a geometric data record forming a shape of the primitive object, each feature data record including information corresponding to a tool to make the primitive object and a process to make the primitive object.

A method for designing a tool to make a product and a process to make the product, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a set of constraint relationships that specify a desired function of the product;
• selecting a material from a set of materials to be used for making the product;
• providing a set of feature data records, each feature data record corresponding to a respective primitive object having a predefined function, each feature data record including shape information, tool information and process information corresponding to the respective primitive object;
• generating a selected feature data record corresponding to a primitive object having the desired function and capable of being made from the selected material, the selected feature data record being generated from the set of feature data records;
• and
• concurrently designing a tool drawing and a process specification to make the product as a function of the form information, the tool information and the process information in the selected feature data record.

A method for designing a product and a process to make the product, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a set of constraint relationships that specify a desired function of the product;
• selecting a material from a set of materials to be used for making the product;
• providing a set of feature data records, each feature data record corresponding to a respective primitive object having a predefined function, each feature data record including shape information, tool information and process information corresponding to the respective primitive object;
• generating a selected feature data record corresponding to a primitive object having the desired function and capable of being made from the selected material, the selected feature data record being generated from the set of feature data records;
• and
• concurrently designing a product drawing and a process specification to make the product as a function of the form information, the tool information and the process information in the selected feature data record.

A computer-based engineering design system for designing a part and a process to make the part, the system comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a plurality of feature data records, each feature data record corresponding to a respective primitive object having a predetermined function, each feature data record including a geometric shape representing a form of the respective primitive object, each feature data record including information relating to a tool to make the respective primitive object;
• an input device coupled to the processor receiving a request to design the part, the request including a predefined function performed by the part;
• and
• a core design module executable by the processor, the core design module designing the part and the process to make the part by accessing the plurality of feature data records in the memory to locate the respective primitive object substantially performing the predefined function.

A computer-based engineering design system to assist in designing a tool to make a part and a process to make the part, the system comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a plurality of feature data records, each feature data record corresponding to a respective primitive object having a predetermined function, each feature data record including a geometric shape representing a form of the respective primitive object, each feature data record including information relating to the tool to make the respective primitive object;
• an input device coupled to the processor receiving a request to design the part, the request including a predefined function performed by the part;
• and
• a core design module executable by the processor, the core design module designing the tool to make the part and the process to make the part by accessing the plurality of feature data records in the memory to locate the respective primitive object substantially performing the predefined function.