Title: Verification of development results using computer-supported techniques: potential benefits and hurdles

Authors: Gernot Dollner, Peter Kellner, Oliver Tegel

Addresses: Volkswagen AG, Kst. 1781, Abt. EZT1, D-38436 Wolfsburg, Germany, Volkswagen AG, Kst. 1781, Abt. EZT1, D-38436 Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen AG, Kst. 1781, Abt. EZT1, D-38436 Wolfsburg, Germany

Abstract: The automobile industry is facing challenges which result in demands to optimise their product development processes. For this purpose, methods and tools to verify development results which can be used early in the product development process are needed. In this paper, digital mock-ups and rapid prototyping techniques are presented as means for the verification of the development results. Prerequisites, potential benefits and hurdles are discussed and examples from the implementation of these techniques in the automobile industry are presented. Finally, an optimised product development process based on the use of these techniques is defined which aims to fulfil the overall goals of time and cost reduction, and quality improvement.

Keywords: digital mock-up; product development process; rapid prototyping.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1999.001850

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1999 Vol.21 No.1, pp.55-69

Published online: 18 Aug 2003 *

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