Title: A perspective on analytical prototype process

Authors: Suren Dwivedi, Phanikanth Ranga, Ravi Lanka, Donald W. Lyons

Addresses: University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA. ' University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA. ' Product Development Department, Ford Motors Inc., Dearborn, MI 48120, USA. ' WVU, Morgantown, WV 265606, USA

Abstract: Traditional product development processes involve a sequential process of concept generation, product planning, product engineering and process engineering. The process is directed and focused on a single solution with different tools aiding the process as problem-solving devices. Analytical prototype processes focus on identifying the strategic and functional requirements for product development, establish techniques for evaluating alternative concepts and solutions and optimise the solutions that make the product robust in all working conditions. The foundation of the analytical prototype process is its ability to utilise the analytical tools in an integrated approach to identify requirements, evaluate alternatives and optimise to a single solution.

Keywords: traditional product development; analytical prototype process; computer-aided engineering; CAE; computer-integrated manufacturing; CIM; process engineering; quality function deployment; QFD; product design; design of experiments; DOE; tolerance analysis; prototyping; vehicle design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2005.006673

International Journal of Product Development, 2005 Vol.2 No.1/2, pp.138 - 154

Published online: 01 Apr 2005 *

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