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Session 2563

Innovative Approaches to Collaborative Design Projects

Mark Rajai, Ali Kashef University of Memphis/University of Northern Iowa

Abstract

Rapid changes in technology and a global economic recession have prompted many leading manufacturing companies to reevaluate and upgrade their design and manufacturing process. An increasing number of these companies have moved from traditional design environment to a virtual one. Companies such as Boeing have utilized various new software/tools and adopted innovative technologies to reduce cost and time to market for new products. In response to these changes in industry, engineering schools have also reevaluated and realized their curriculum particularly in area of collaborative design projects. The objectives of this paper are (1) to review the existing software/tools and methodologies used in design processes, (2) to introduce innovative approaches to collaborative design environment, then (3) present several funded case studies employing new cutting-edge technologies.

Introduction

The field of collaborative design (CD) has enjoyed considerable attention and success over the last decade as rapid changes in technology and a global economic recession have prompted many leading manufacturing companies to reevaluate and upgrade their design and manufacturing process. An increasing number of these companies have moved from traditional design environment to a virtual one. but CD is now facing some of the pains expected along with its growth. Based largely on virtual collaborative premises, CD is adjusting to cognitive ways of viewing the design process. Originally a primarily linear process, CD is embracing new methods and computer design tools that allow greater flexibility in the management and order of design activities in a virtual environment. Our purposes in this paper are (1) to review the existing software/tools and methodologies used in design processes, (2) to introduce innovative approaches to collaborative design environment, then (3) present several funded case studies employing new cutting-edge technologies.

Existing Methods and Technologies

From its inception, CD practice has fallen short of its ideal prescriptions. Based on cybernetic principles of general design theory, the ideal design process relies on constant systemic feedback. Such a system acts something like a thermostat, always monitoring its own effectiveness, making revisions as needed to optimize the outcomes. These cycles of self-testing and correction are repeated during the design process as well as during implementation and maintenance. In practice, however, CD methods tend to proceed in linear fashion from defined Proceedings of the 2003 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright 2003, American Society for Engineering Education

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Kashef, A., & Rajai, M. (2003, June), Innovative Approaches To Collaborative Design Projects Paper presented at 2003 Annual Conference, Nashville, Tennessee. 10.18260/1-2--12238