Title: A case study on non-parametric design method in ODM collaborative product development

Authors: Yongsheng Ma

Addresses: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore

Abstract: There are two distinct solid design methodologies – parametric and non-parametric approaches. In the past 20 years, most industrial CAD users have been upgrading their CAD design methods from the non-parametric approach to the parametric one. However, with the new trends of globalisation, outsourcing and collaboration, it is timely to ask whether the parametric design is still effective. In this paper, a case study based on the non-parametric CAD modelling approach with a distributed collaborative design system is presented. A real project for a typical mechatronic product is studied in depth. Based on the case study and field observations, we have found that non-parametric modelling methodology enables collaboration in several ways. Further, the non-parametric modelling methodology shows many advantages. A comparative analysis has also been carried out via matching ODM design activities to the strengths and weaknesses of the two approaches. Finally, suggestions for future research directions of collaborative design are given.

Keywords: collaborative product development; parametric design; non-parametric design; feature-based design; design methodology; product design; CAD; distributed design; collaborative design; mechatronics; non-parametric modelling; ODM; original design manufacturing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2005.008228

International Journal of Product Development, 2005 Vol.2 No.4, pp.411 - 434

Published online: 24 Nov 2005 *

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