This book provides a framework within which existing or planned computer aided design/manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems and simultaneous engineering, can be integrated into an organization to achieve maximum efficiency, utilization and control.

The book introduces the fundamentals and development of Computer aided design, Computer aided process planning, and Computer aided manufacturing. The integration of CAD/CAPP/CAM, product data management and Concurrent engineering and collaborative design etc. are also illustrated in detail, which make this book be an essential reference for graduate students, scientists and practitioner in the research fields of computer sciences and engineering.

This guide goes beyond CAD/CAM, showing how to support concurrent engineering both cost-effectively and labour-effectively. The author explains the objectives, structure, role, implementation, and management requirements of Engineering Information Management Systems (EIMS), as well as systems currently available. Readers also learn how to choose the best system for their needs and how to determine its user requirements.

Competitive edge in today's world markets can only be achieved by an integrated approach to manufacturing. Concurrent or Simultaneous Engineering offers the promise of a reduced product development cycle, using complex technologies to satisfy customer demand for high quality, competitively-priced products brought to market in minimum time. The CONSENS implementation of Concurrent/Simultaneous Engineering (CSE) is an integrated package developed over recent years by some of the leading manufacturers and research institutes in Europe. It is the product of the flagship EU research project into the use of IT in Manufacturing led by the Fraunhofer Institute in Stuttgart. In particular, this study describes the management of change, network organisation, CONSENS architecture and module integration, SiFrame Management Information System, design for CSE and industrial implementations of CONSENS.

This report is designed to clarify the data management requirements in computer-integrated manufacutirng, and correct deficiencies in current efforts that address the interaction between the engineering design of a product and its.

BACKGROUND There is an increasing awareness that 'time to market' is the key competitive issue in the manufacturing industry today. The global markets are demanding products that are well designed, are of high quality and are at low prices with ever decreasing lead times. Hence manufacturers are forced to utilize the best methods of technology with efficient control and management accompanied by suitably enabling organizational structures. Concurrent engineering (CE) is widely seen to be the methodology that can help satisfy these strenuous demands and keep the profitability and viability of product developers, manufacturers and suppliers high. There have been many reported successes of CE in practice. Rover were able to launch Land Rover Discovery in 18 months as compared with 48-63 months for similar products in Europe. Because of its early introduction to the market it became the best selling product in its class. AT&T report part counts down to one ninth of their previous levels and quality one hundred times (in surface defects) for VLSI (very improvements of large scale integration) circuits as a result of using the CE approach. WHO SHOULD READ THIS TEXT? This book will aim to provide a sound basis for the very diverse subject known as concurrent engineering. Concurrent engineering is recognized by an increasingly large proportion of the manufacturing industry as a necessity in order to compete in today's markets. This recognition has created the demand for information, awareness and training in good concurrent engineering practice.

Increasing intensity surrounding globalization of manufacturing and its competitive environment force a much higher 'expectation' of design as falling within the 'optimum range of parameters.' This new book explains how the CE Design process provides a stable, repeatable process through which increased accuracy is achieved. Section I: The Business Environment Surrounding Concurrent Engineering Design includes an introduction, asks 'Why' CE Design, explains how CE Design can create a competitive advantage, and addresses CE Design as a world class manufacturing enabler. Section II: Concurrent Engineering Design Business Process Framework looks at CE DesignAs relationship to process management, the design process, and manufacturability process. Section III: Concurrent Engineering Design Architectural and Implementation Framework focuses on CE DesignAs automated infrastructure, and implementation planning for engineering design.