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Product Lifecycle Management Philosophies Within a Computer-Aided Design Program of Study

David S. Kelley Purdue University

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Technological innovations influenced by the capabilities of global communication means are creating competitive environments that require companies to respond faster to customer needs with higher quality products. To foster competitiveness, global companies in the twenty- first century are being challenged to integrate all their resources into a seamless digital enterprise. This seamless integration represents a technological environment that leverages the skills and knowledge of all participants to include customers, suppliers, manufacturers, vendors, retailers, engineers, customer support, sales, and designers. The integration of design processes within digital enterprises is realized through the application of web-centric product-data management systems. These systems allow for the exchange of design data and product configuration in a manner that facilitates not only interdepartmental communication but also inter-enterprise collaboration. Within existing technologies, these systems can help to facilitate design processes, shorten time-to-market, and increase product design quality. This paper describes efforts with the Department of Computer Graphics Technology at Purdue University to integrate product data management applications and product lifecycle management philosophies within its computer-aided design curriculum. Topics covered include course information within the computer-aided design curriculum, technologies utilized, a group design project that implements components of product lifecycle management, future developments, and student feedback.

I. Introduction

Over the past two decades, many technological and philosophical influences have radically changed approaches to design processes within manufacturing related enterprises. Arguably, no technology has had a greater affect on engineering and manufacturing than computer-aided design (CAD). While early CAD systems were little more than electronic computer-aided drafting applications with tools replicating board drafting capabilities, modern three-dimensional (3D) systems allow engineers and designers to replicate entire manufacturing processes and products. When coupled with strong data communication backbones and flexible product data management applications, CAD models are becoming the key knowledge base that leverages data throughout an enterprise. Like CAD, the increasing role of data communications throughout an enterprise is changing the way that collaborators communicate within the design chain of dispersed manufacturing industries. The Internet in particular has presented new tools to foster electronic collaboration within design processes. Often, e-collaboration is though of as communication in real-time with tools such as video conferencing, chat boards, whiteboards, and “Proceedings of the 2003 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2003, American Society for Engineering Education”

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Kelley, D. (2003, June), Product Lifecycle Management Philosophies Within A Computer Aided Design Program Of Study Paper presented at 2003 Annual Conference, Nashville, Tennessee. 10.18260/1-2--12527