Working group

Future developments in the area of computer-assisted product design

Researchers:

A. Verbeck, Dr. E. Scherer, Prof. P. Schönsleben 

Partners:

Institute of Manufacturing Technology and Machine Tools (IWF) of ETH Zurich (Prof. Dr. M., Engeli), Schools of Engineering in St. Gallen (Prof. Dr. H.-W. Butz) and Bern (Hr. R. Hungerbühler)., Several small- and mid-sized enterprises. Since 1997 the Institute for Design and Construction, Methods (IKB) of ETH Zurich (Prof. Dr. M. Meier) joins the working party. 

Financed by:

CTI 3385. 1 

Time-to-market as well as quality and flexibility of products became the most important factors in business competition. Essential improvements couldn't only be realized in the immediate productive areas but also in the previous areas like research, development, and operations scheduling. Most companies are still using their CAD only as an electronic drawing board. To deserve future requirements CAD must be used in design of all features over the total live cycle of the product. That includes the production, the use, maintenance and disposal.