Systems and methods for designing and manufacturing engineered objects

A method of generating an object design for producing an engineered object, comprising the steps of:

• providing an estimate generator for generating cost estimates at least in part based on a request for proposal defining the engineered object and engineering rules and knowledge;
• providing a layout drawing generator for generating layout drawings at least in part based the request for proposal and engineering rules and knowledge;
• and
• providing a design generator for generating object designs at least in part based on the request for proposal, engineering rules and knowledge, and an engineering review;
• accepting a request for proposal defining the engineered object;
• entering the request for proposal into the estimate generator to generate a cost estimate;
• entering the request for proposal into the layout drawing generator to generate a layout drawing;
• generating a proposal based on the cost estimate and the layout drawing;
• generating an order based on the proposal;
• based on the order and the proposal, causing the design generator to generate an assembly specification, a detail specification, and machine control files comprising the object design;
• and
• producing at least a portion of the engineered object based on the object design.

A method of generating a bulk material handling system design for producing a bulk material handling system, comprising the steps of:

• providing an estimate generator for generating cost estimates for bulk material handling systems based on requests for proposal;
• providing a layout drawing generator for generating layout drawings;
• and
• providing a design generator for generating object designs at least in part based on at least one of parameters associated with components of bulk material handling systems, engineering rules and knowledge related to bulk material handling systems, and an engineering review;
• accepting a request for proposal defining a bulk material handling system design;
• entering the request for proposal into the estimate generator to generate a cost estimate;
• entering the request for proposal into the layout drawing generator to generate a layout drawing;
• generating a proposal based on the cost estimate and the layout drawing;
• generating an order based on the proposal;
• based on the order and the proposal, causing the design generator to generate an assembly specification, a detail specification, and machine control files comprising the bulk material handling system design;
• and
• producing at least a portion of the bulk material handling system based on the bulk material handling system design.