Title: A multiple view product model for reflector and lens in automotive headlamps with reconfigurable tooling for manufacture

Authors: Haris Naduthodi, Prakasan Kalakkath

Addresses: Department of Production Engineering, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, 641 004 India. ' Department of Production Engineering, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, 641 004 India

Abstract: While developing a product, product development groups involved create knowledge on selected attributes of the product from several functional perspectives. This process is highly iterative and the information models used for product development are to provide consistent and manageable solutions. That is, the knowledge available from upstream functions is transferred to the downstream teams for further processing. This leads to the concept of view as practised in industry and hence the relevance of multiple view information models. In product design context it is better known as multiple view product model. This paper tries to formulate a methodology for development of a headlamp for passenger cars as per the requirements of OEMs by a supplier. Headlamps in passenger cars are subjected to changes when the exterior of the car is modified. Major components subjected to change are the reflector and clear glass lens. The reflector and lens represent two different |streams| of product lines based on their uniqueness in surface development. This is the basis for mapping of the products on to the manufacturing processes.

Keywords: product lifecycle management; PLM; multiple-view product modelling; information systems; flexible manufacturing; reconfigurable tooling; passenger cars; automotive headlamps; automotive headlights; product development; automobile industry; reflectors; glass lens.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAET.2011.038823

International Journal of Computer Aided Engineering and Technology, 2011 Vol.3 No.2, pp.138 - 154

Published online: 30 Sep 2014 *

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