This research proposes an architecture for a cloud-based, multi-user FEA pre-processing system, where multiple engineers can access and operate on the same model in a parallel environment. A prototype is discussed and tested, the results of which show that a multi-user preprocessor, where all computing is done on a central server that is hosted on a high performance system, provides significant benefits to the analysis team. These benefits include a shortened preprocessing time, and potentially higher-quality models.

Custom software development and maintenance is one of the key expenses associated with developing automated systems for mass customization. This paper presents a method for reducing the risk associated with this expense by developing a flexible environment for determining and executing dynamic workflow paths. Strategies for developing an autonomous agent-based framework and for identifying and creating web services for specific process tasks are presented. The proposed methods are outlined in two different case studies to illustrate the approach for both a generic process with complex workflow paths and a more specific sequential engineering process.

The thesis details the NX CAM application and its capabilities in the production of specific shapes on selected components. It includes a selection of machinery, respective tools, together with shanks and clamping cones, as well as selection and verification of the cutting conditions. The process is accompanied by a graphic simulation and complemented by an economic evaluation.

Market globalization and mass customization requirements are forcing companies towards automation of their product development processes. Many task-specific software solutions provide localized automation. Coordinating these local solutions to automate higher-level processes requires significant software maintenance costs due to the incompatibility of the software tools and the dynamic nature of the product development environment. Current automation methods do not provide the required level of flexibility to operate in this dynamic environment. An autonomic product development process automation strategy is proposed in order to provide a flexible, standardized approach to product development process automation and to significantly reduce the software maintenance costs associated with traditional automation methods. Key elements of the strategy include a formal approach to decompose product development processes into services, a method to describe functional and quality attributes of services, a process modeling algorithm to configure processes composed of services, a method to evaluate process utility based on quality metrics and user preferences, and an implementation that allows a user to instantiate the optimal process. Because the framework allows a user to rapidly reconfigure and select optimal processes as new services are introduced or as requirements change, the framework should reduce burdensome software maintenance costs associated with traditional automation methods and provide a more flexible approach.

Collaboration in engineering product development leads to shorter product development times and better products. In product development, considerable time is spent preparing the CAD model or assembly for Finite Element Analysis (FEA). In general Computer-Aided Applications (CAx) such as FEA deter collaboration because they allow only a single user to check out and make changes to the model at a given time. Though most of these software applications come with some collaborative tools, they are limited to simple tasks such as screen sharing and instant messaging. This thesis discusses methods to convert a current commercial FEA pre-processing program into a multi-user program, where multiple people are allowed to work on a single FEA model simultaneously. This thesis discusses a method for creating a multi-user FEA pre-processor and a robust, stable multi-user FEA program with full functionality has been developed using CUBIT. A generalized method for creating a networking architecture for a multi-user FEA pre-processor is discussed and the chosen client-server architecture is demonstrated. Furthermore, a method for decomposing a model/assembly using geometry identification tags is discussed. A working prototype which consists of workspace management Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) is demonstrated. A method for handling time-consuming tasks in an asynchronous multi-user environment is presented using Central Processing Unit (CPU) time as a time indicator. Due to architectural limitations of CUBIT, this is not demonstrated. Moreover, a method for handling undo sequences in a multi-user environment is discussed. Since commercial FEA pre-processors do not allow mesh related actions to be undone using an undo option, this undo handling method is not demonstrated.

This master thesis aims to examine how the transfer of product related information is carried out in the manufacturing industry. The study was supposed to give suggestions for improving the CAD courses provided at Linköping University. This thesis is the concluding step for the authors’ master’s degree in mechanical engineering.In the beginning of the project a study of relevant literature was made. The literature was aimed to gain more knowledge of the subject at hand and finding relevant methods for collecting and analyzing data. To examine how the industry deals with product related data a multiple case study was conducted, investigating seven different companies that are working with both product development and production. As data collection method, semi-structured interviews of employees on the different companies were conducted.An adaptation of the “affinity diagram technique” was used when analyzing the collected data. The method divided the answers to questions provided by the different companies into different categories, in the form of statements. These where compared between the companies by the use of tables, showing the results in a clear manner. To give better insight in each company´s methods, a descriptive summary was written for each of the studied companies.To be able to give propositions of improvement for the courses at the University, some of the courses given where analyzed by reviewing the course description and goals, and through informal interviews of the course administrator. This led to better insight in what is included in the courses and what they are supposed to teach the students. The knowledge of what is included in the courses at this time and the results of the study of the companies, were the foundation when determining what could be changed in the courses.The case study showed that it varies greatly how much the companies are adapting new approaches for generating and spreading product related data. This made it difficult to find tangible evidence supporting changes to the courses, however, a few conclusions could be drawn from the results. It was found that 2D-drawings are still used to a great extent for carrying product related information. Only one of the studied companies have transitioned to using the 3D-model as an information carrier. Although it was mentioned on some of the other companies that such an approach seemed interesting.The study also showed that less handling of physical papers seems to be something most companies are interested in, and are also trying to achieve. It was also noted that all the companies studied had implemented some form of digital platform for handling product related documents.A few things that were deemed worth implementing in the mandatory courses were the introduction to PDM/PLM, introduction of 3D-annotations for dimensions and tolerances and increased use of the 3D-model for manufacturing operations. / Detta examensarbete ämnar undersöka hur informationsöverföringen av produktrelaterad data sker i industrin för att kunna ge förbättringsförslag för Linköpings Universitets CAD- och ritteknikskurser. Detta för att kurserna bättre ska spegla industrins nuvarande och även framtida behov. Examensarbetet utfördes på avdelningen maskinkonstruktion vid Linköpings Universitet och är det avslutande momentet på författarnas civilingenjörsutbildning i maskinteknik.Till att börja med utfördes en litteraturstudie. Detta för att ge kunskap inom det aktuella området och vilka metoder som kan användas för datainsamling och analys. För att undersöka hur industrins arbetssätt ser ut utfördes en flerfallstudie på sju olika företag som bedriver produktutveckling tillsammans med egen produktion. Som datainsamlingsmetod valdes semistrukturerade intervjuer med anställda på de olika företagen.Analysen utfördes med hjälp av en adaption av ”affinity diagram technique” vilket delade upp företagens svar i kategorier i form av påståenden. Dessa jämfördes mellan företagen med hjälp av tabeller eftersom det var tydligt sätt att representera resultatet. För att ge en inblick i hur varje enskilt företag arbetar utarbetades även en deskriptiv sammanfattning av varje företag.För att kunna ge förbättringsförslag till universitetets CAD- och ritteknikskurser granskades några av de nuvarande kursernas kursplaner. Detta tillsammans med en informell intervju av de kursansvariga ledde till bättre insikt om hur kurserna är uppbyggda och vad målen med dem är. Insikten om vad kurserna innehåller i dagsläget tillsammans med analysen av de studerade företagens arbetssätt bidrog till att ett antal förbättringsförslag kunde föreslås.Det visade sig att graden av användande av modernare arbetssätt varierar kraftigt bland företagen. Detta gjorde det svårt att komma fram till ett enhetligt resultat som gällde för alla de studerade företagen. Däremot kunde ett antal slutsatser dras. Bland annat används fortfarande 2D-ritningar flitigt som ett informationsbärande dokument. En övergång till att enbart använda 3D-modellen som informationsbärare noterades endast på ett utav företagen men nämndes på ett par andra.Papperslöst arbete verkar vara på frammarsch trots att vissa specifika moment fortfarande utförs på papper. Det noterades även att digitala system används för lagring och hantering av produktrelaterad information hos alla de studerade företagen.Det som ansetts värt att implementera i universitets obligatoriska kurser efter genomförd studie är främst ökad användning av PDM/PLM-system, introduktion av 3D-måttsättning samt utnyttjande av 3D-modellen vid tillverkning.

Digitale Menschmodelle sind wichtige Werkzeuge der Produkt- und Prozessentwicklung. In diesem Beitrag wird der Stand der Technik der Modelle, die in CAx- oder PLM-Systemen eingesetzt werden, dargelegt. Wichtige Eigenschaften der einzelnen Modelle sowie eine zusammenfassende Einschätzung der Vor- und Nachteile werden vorgestellt. / Digital human models are important tools for product and process design. This paper describes state of the art models used within CAx- or PLM-Systems.