A customization-oriented framework for product development. Case study- energy-efficient windows

Abstract

This paper presents the authors' approach to producing customised products. The authors address the support of information sharing and activity synchronization within and between teams. The paper discusses a methodology for modelling data and original software for product data management that includes customers' preferences and specifications. The developed system has the ability to select an activity, as well as machining processes and parameters based on a set of design and production parameters, and to estimate product cost throughout the entire product development cycle. The case study refers to a product type called "energy-efficient windows". Window panes must be delivered to customers in a variety of shapes, dimensions, and materials according to certain specifications. The Access database provides the geometrical data for the next module, the CAD module that is achieved using Solid Works.