1. University of Hertfordshire iDer BLUEPRINT Engineering Design to Manufacture Through a Virtual Environment Dr Brian Parkinson and Paul Hudson Manufacturing Systems Centre University of Hertfordshire England

2. University of Hertfordshire iDer BLUEPRINT The University of Hertfordshire Hatfield, UK. De Haviland Comet DH88 Left Mildenhall, Suffolk on 20 Oct 1934 arriving in Melbourne 70 hrs 54 mins later

3. University of Hertfordshire iDer BLUEPRINT Definition of engineering Creative, practical, cost-effective semi-empirical synthesis process with application of science and technology to solve problems and meet needs. Dr John Parnaby

4. University of Hertfordshire iDer BLUEPRINT Importance of engineering Engineering manufacturing industry generates 40% of the UKs domestic product thro employing 3 million out of a population of 55 million. 80% of manufactured products exported compared with 15% for service industry products. Engineering is a wealth creator.

5. University of Hertfordshire iDer BLUEPRINT Engineering is…... Not a science although utilises science and the scientific method Culturally seen as problem solving A multi-disciplinary and cross- functional activity Practised in a competitive customer and marketing environment

6. University of Hertfordshire iDer BLUEPRINT Problems teaching design Considered as an isolated subject Solution centred, emphasis not placed upon understanding the problem Considered as producing something Teacher needs to be an expert in diverse subjects Students working simultaneously on different designs

7. University of Hertfordshire iDer BLUEPRINT Student groups... Students often work in groups but….. –They are not domain specific experts –They may not manage time wisely –They do not necessarily communicate well The last minute dash design solution

8. University of Hertfordshire iDer BLUEPRINT Design decision making...

9. University of Hertfordshire iDer BLUEPRINT Design decisions... 1937 Hindenburg airship landing at Lakehurst NJ: of the 97 people on board, 36 were killed.

10. University of Hertfordshire iDer BLUEPRINT Requirements of the system Experiential –enable problem to be defined –allow possible solutions to be tried –determine an optimum solution –manage manufacture of design –determine if the design will work? Constraints –budget allocated to system user –time allowed to complete

11. University of Hertfordshire iDer BLUEPRINT System structure Virtual environment system database Design facility: specification concept design detail design Manufacturing facility: stores processes planning assembly Experts Asking expert for advice Comment and advice USER critique each other

12. University of Hertfordshire iDer BLUEPRINT The experts…. BLUEPRINT is a self contained and open-ended system, the user being supported by 6 domain specific experts;

13. University of Hertfordshire iDer BLUEPRINT The virtual environment The user has an office containing all necessary equipment There are also manufacturing facilities

14. University of Hertfordshire iDer BLUEPRINT A concurrent approach Experts are available to assist the user

15. University of Hertfordshire iDer BLUEPRINT A questioning approach... Expert support is always available

16. University of Hertfordshire iDer BLUEPRINT Design to manufacture... Manufacturing is considered during design and associated costs determined The user must decide upon a process plan

17. University of Hertfordshire iDer BLUEPRINT Testing the design….

18. University of Hertfordshire iDer BLUEPRINT Supporting the designer…. Technical information Design considerations Catalogues of bought-out parts

19. University of Hertfordshire iDer BLUEPRINT Conclusions... The BLUEPRINT system: –encourages concurrent design –supports a questioning approach –enables a fully detailed design –requires manufacture of the design to be decided upon and organised –provides a valuable information resource –includes a simulated race to test the design produced

20. University of Hertfordshire iDer BLUEPRINT Contact details The iDer web site can be found at: http://www.ider.herts.ac.uk/