JP4150495B2 - Collaborative design method and collaborative design system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a collaborative design system and a collaborative design method using the collaborative design system that allow a plurality of designers distributed in remote locations to perform collaborative design work on a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to design and manufacture finished products by a manufacturer of automobiles, electrical equipment, etc. (design supervising company), outsource design and manufacturing of parts to multiple partner companies (suppliers, etc.) and collaborate with multiple partner companies. It is common to proceed with work. In that work, CAD data such as parts designed by each partner company is aggregated to the manufacturer that is the consignor, where the CAD data is checked in detail, and if a design change or malfunction occurs, Repeat the process.
[0003]
However, the conventional CAD collaborative design system (CAD collaboration system) is mainly used in a LAN in a factory or a building, and CAD collaborative design including a partner company in a remote place cannot be performed. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes a lot of time and cost to move to a work place, a business trip, and the like, which is an obstacle to timely product introduction according to market trends.
[0004]
In addition, when using a supplier part, it is possible to find a part by searching the catalog, but the designer who searched for the part checks whether the part can actually be incorporated. There is a problem in that it takes time and effort to design when using. In addition, parts that are not in the catalog need to be newly designed by the designer of the design company.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a collaborative design system and a collaborative design method that allow CAD designers located at locations far away from the location to perform collaborative design work on a network. And In particular, according to the present invention, when there are parts that are insufficient in the design work, the suitable parts are automatically searched, and the suitability of the obtained results is jointly verified or the design is changed, thereby improving the design work efficiency. An object is to provide an improved collaborative design system and collaborative design method.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention can be configured as follows.
[0007]
The invention described in claim 1 is a collaborative design method for a design supervisor and a supplier of parts to perform collaborative design via a communication network, and receiving basic product design data from the design supervisor, Based on the basic design data, the part data of the parts necessary for the product is retrieved from the parts database and acquired, and whether or not the parts related to the parts data are compatible with the product is verified. Making adjustments when they occur, sending a request for proposal of the part to at least one supplier capable of supplying the part, and allowing the supplier and the design supervisor to perform verification or design change on the part. and a step possess, the searching component data from the component database, the step of obtaining, if no appropriate component data in the component database, the component de It searches the supplier database based on the data, and a step of adding and sending the information request to at least one supplier, the part data transmitted from the supplier to the component database, performs the search.
[0008]
According to the present invention, parts can be automatically selected, their suitability can be verified, and further, the supplier can collaborate on verification or design change based on a request for proposal, thus improving design work efficiency. It becomes possible to make it.
Further, even if the desired part data is not registered in the part database, the part data can be easily obtained from the part supplier.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the supplier transmits a proposal including a delivery date and a price related to the part to the main design, and the main design is based on the proposal. The method further includes a step of selecting a supplier and placing an order. According to the present invention, the design work efficiency can be further improved.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, in the step of performing the verification or design change, the supplier and the design supervisor perform joint design work in real time. According to the present invention, the verification or design change can be performed efficiently.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 4 is the step of selling and registering the usage frequency or usage time to the design supervisor or supplier, and the step of accepting a prior use reservation from the design supervisor or supplier. And a step of causing the design supervisor or supplier to perform collaborative design according to the contents of the reservation, and a step of subtracting the use frequency or the use time when the collaborative design is completed.
[0014]
According to the present invention, it is possible to perform cooperative design with a limited period. That is, in the collaborative design system using the collaborative design method of the present invention, a small to medium-sized user who cannot always connect to the collaborative design system can also implement the collaborative design method of the present invention by dial-up connection or the like.
[0015]
The invention described in claims 5 to 7 is a collaborative design system suitable for the implementation of the collaborative design method, and this also exhibits the same operational effects as described above.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a collaborative design system in the first embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, a specific user (such as a design supervising company or a company group including a supplier) can dedicate a collaborative design system.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 1, a collaborative design system 1 according to the present invention is connected to a design managing company intranet 3 through a communication network 2 such as a dedicated line or a frame relay, and via a communication network 4 such as ISDN or IP-VPN. Connected to each supplier terminal 5. The collaborative design system 1 includes an engineering module 6, an EC module 7, and a communication module 8.
[0018]
The engineering module 6 includes a collaboration server 9 and a strength / performance calculation server 10. The collaboration server 9 is equipped with CAD collaboration software that enables information sharing in real time, and the strength / performance calculation server 10 has a function of calculating the strength of a product based on a theory such as mechanical engineering. As CAD collaboration software, it is possible to easily construct a CAD collaboration environment by using “One Space” software of CoCreate Software Co., Ltd. or the like. Note that the collaboration server 9 and the strength / performance server 10 may be configured as a single server. Moreover, the collaboration server 9 has a WWW server function and enables access from the Web by the user. As will be described later, mail is used between the user and the collaborative design system. However, the mail server function may be included in the collaborative design system, or the mail may be stored on the Internet other than the communication network shown in FIG. You may make it communicate via.
[0019]
The EC module 7 has a parts database 11, a supplier database 12, and a server 13 for electronic commerce. The parts database 11 stores the three-dimensional data, size, supplier name, etc. of each part, and the supplier database 12 stores the company name of the supplier and its handling products.
[0020]
The server 13 such as electronic commerce has a function of executing processing related to billing and payment for parts and the like between a design managing company and a supplier. Further, it has a function of managing the parts database 11 and the supplier database 12 and creating an RFI (information request) and RFP (request for proposal), which will be described later, or a function for supporting the creation.
[0021]
Note that the parts database 11 and the supplier database 12 are appropriately updated using new parts information and supplier information. Further, the parts database 11 and the supplier database 12 may be remotely installed and connected to the collaborative design system 1 via a network.
[0022]
The communication module 8 includes an authentication server 14, firewalls 15 and 16, and communication processors 17 and 18. The authentication server 14 authenticates whether the user who accesses the collaborative design system 1 is a registered user, and prevents unauthorized use. The firewalls 15 and 16 have a function of ensuring security by allowing only predetermined data and protocols to pass therethrough. The communication processors 17 and 18 have a function of connecting computers via a network.
[0023]
In the design supervising company intranet 3, the CAD terminals 19 and 20 are used for basic design. The design managing company intranet 3 includes a gateway 21, a firewall 22, and the like for connecting to the collaborative design system 1.
[0024]
Each supplier company uses the terminal 5 to access the collaboration server and participate in the collaborative design. The supplier company may access the collaborative design system 1 from the intranet.
[0025]
Next, the procedure of the collaborative design method in the embodiment of the present invention will be described using the sequence chart shown in FIG.
[0026]
First, a design supervising company performs a basic design using a CAD system based on the contents of product planning (step 1).
[0027]
Next, as a basic design result, the design supervising company sends the table data describing the dimensions, strength, performance, material, etc. as shown in FIG. 3 together with the CAD data of each part to the collaborative design system 1 (specifically, the collaboration server). 9) (step 2).
[0028]
Next, for each part, the collaboration server 9 searches the part database 11 for a part whose dimensions, performance (cushion elasticity, etc.) and the like are closest to the required specifications from a file as shown in FIG. Specifically, referring to the table data shown in FIG. 3 sent together with the CAD data from the design managing company, the data of dimensions, strength, performance, material, etc. is output as a search temporary file (same format as FIG. 3). The file data shown in FIG. 4 is searched using the file data. Here, for example, it is possible to perform a search by setting a search condition such as extracting product data having a dimension within plus or minus 5%. Further, it is also possible to apply a refined search by adding elements of material, strength or performance, and numerical values or data of respective allowable ranges as search conditions. Further, the parts in the CAD data designed by the design supervising company are sequentially replaced with actual parts in the parts database 11 (step 3). When there are a plurality of candidate parts, the designer of the design managing company selects (step 4).
[0029]
If there is no appropriate part in the parts database 11, the collaboration server 9 searches the supplier database 12 and, for example, sends RFI (Request For Information) to a plurality of suppliers considered to be capable of producing similar parts. Send by e-mail (step 5). The RFI is created by quoting CAD data and inputting information such as dimensions, strength, performance, and material.
[0030]
As for the above processing, the designer of the design managing company may access the collaboration server 9 to search for a supplier, create and send an RFI, or the collaboration server 9 automatically performs the creation of the RFI. You may do it. Instead of sending the RFI by e-mail, it can be displayed on the Web screen together with the three-dimensional image. For example, data shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the supplier database 12.
[0031]
When the supplier receiving the RFI can provide the component described in the RFI, the supplier attaches the component data and responds to the collaboration server 9 (step 6). When a reply is returned from the supplier according to the RFI, the collaboration server 9 adds the component data attached thereto to the component database 11 (step 7), and performs the search in step 3 again.
[0032]
Next, the collaboration server 9 automatically performs interference calculation using the above-described CAD collaboration software function after replacing all parts with actual parts. Specifically, it is checked whether or not two or more parts exist at the same coordinates using an interference calculation algorithm by an algebraic method or a geometric method. If there is interference between parts, the person in charge of the design supervising company uses the CAD terminals 19 and 20 to make fine adjustments such as part shapes and intervals using the function of the CAD software (step 8). Then, the collaboration server 9 saves data such as part shape change and position change in the image file, and saves the explanatory text as text data (step 9).
[0033]
The design managing company refers to the data saved above (Step 10), and inputs the CAD data modification completion message, strength, performance, material, delivery date, etc. to the supplier who provided the original part data. The RFP (Request For Proposal) is sent by mail (step 11). As with RFI, the RFP may be created and transmitted by the designer, or may be created and transmitted by the collaboration server 9. Instead of sending the RFP by mail, the collaboration server 9 may display the RFP on the Web.
[0034]
The supplier that has received the RFP verifies the shape change and position change, strength, performance, etc., performed in the collaboration server (step 12). In addition, design changes are made as necessary. The strength calculation or the like can be performed by the function of the strength / performance calculation server 10. The strength verification method will be described later.
[0035]
This work is executed while the supplier accesses the collaborative design system and browses, measures, and edits the CAD data in the collaboration server 9. This work can also be performed with the participation of multiple suppliers and design managers. When the supplier can confirm that there is no problem in the design, the supplier presents the part price and the delivery date to the design managing company (step 13). This presentation is usually made by multiple suppliers.
[0036]
Next, the design managing company evaluates the price returned from the supplier, negotiates the estimate, selects a supplier, and places an order (step 14). The supplier manufactures based on the order from the design supervisor (step 15), and the design supervisor assembles using the parts sent from the supplier (step 16).
[0037]
After that, it is also possible to use the server 13 for electronic commerce or the like to request a part price from a supplier, pay from a design supervising company, etc. via a network.
[0038]
Next, taking the armchair as an example, the above processing will be specifically described along the flowchart of FIG.
[0039]
The chair maker performs a basic design of the armchair using the CAD system based on the plan contents (step 1). As shown in FIG. 6, the armchair includes a front leg, a rear leg, a hook, an armrest, a seat frame, a seat (cushion), a back plate, and the like.
[0040]
When a chair maker makes a basic design, the part name, strength, material, performance, etc. are input. For example, by clicking each part on the chair CAD screen shown in FIG. 6, the screen of one record of the table as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed, and the part name is displayed in the column displayed on the screen. Enter strength, material, performance, etc. Note that the CAD system automatically writes the dimensions and three-dimensional CAD data names to the table.
[0041]
Next, CAD data as a design result and data such as strength and performance are transferred from the chair manufacturer to the collaboration server 9 (step 2). An example of data transmitted together with CAD data in the case of this chair is shown in FIG. The data on strength, performance, material, surface treatment, and the like here are input by the designer of the chair manufacturer as described above.
[0042]
The collaboration server 9 sequentially replaces the parts whose design, strength, performance (cushion elasticity, etc.) are closest to the required specifications for each part with the actual parts in the parts database 11 (step 3). Specifically, the size, strength, performance, material, etc. for each part shown in FIG. 7 are output in the form of a search / search temporary file in the same format as in FIG. 3, and the file data is used to store the contents in the parts database 11. Search the file and replace each part sequentially.
[0043]
Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, when there are a plurality of candidates A and B, and the seat (cushion), the designer of the chair manufacturer selects one (step 4).
[0044]
In this example, since there is no appropriate part in the parts database 11 for the back plate, the supplier database 12 is searched and RFI (Request For Information) is sent to a plurality of suppliers who are considered capable of manufacturing similar parts. Is sent by e-mail (step 5). When a response is returned from the supplier in response to RFI (step 6), the back plate part data attached thereto is added to the part database 11 (step 7), and the search in step 3 is performed again.
[0045]
The collaboration server 9 automatically calculates the interference after replacing all the parts with real parts, and the thickness of the seat (cushion) increased from the original design (see FIG. 9). Since interference (hit) is seen at the joints, fine adjustment of the part shape, spacing, etc. is performed (step 8).
[0046]
Then, the collaboration server stores data such as part shape change and position change as an image file and a description thereof as text data (step 9). The chair manufacturer sends an RFP (Request For Proposal) by e-mail to the supplier who provided the original part data based on the data stored above (step 11). Then, the shape change and the position change performed in the collaboration server 9 are verified, and after confirming that there is no problem in strength and performance, the part price and the delivery date are presented to the chair manufacturer (steps 12 and 13).
[0047]
The strength is verified as follows. First, the required strength values in the XYZ axis directions required for the product are determined in advance and stored in the collaboration server 9. Next, CAD data, dimensions, materials, and the like of each part are input to the strength / performance calculation server 10 from the collaboration server 9, and the XYZ axes of the product are used on the strength / performance calculation server 10 using general-purpose structural calculation software. Calculate the strength of the direction. It is verified whether the strength of each component constituting the product is sufficient by comparing the strength with a necessary strength value in the XYZ axis direction of the product input in advance. The strength calculation in the strength / performance calculation server 10 is performed using general-purpose structural calculation software such as Nastran of MSC.
[0048]
Subsequently, the chair maker evaluates the price returned from the supplier, negotiates the estimate, selects a supplier, and places an order (step 14). Then, the supplier who has received the order performs manufacture based on the order from the chair manufacturer (step 15), and the chair manufacturer performs assembly using the parts sent from the supplier (step 16).
[0049]
(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, a plurality of users share the collaborative design system 1, and each user (each company group or the like) uses the collaborative design system 1 at a reserved time. In order to use the collaborative design system 1, the user purchases the usage frequency or the usage time in advance, and subtracts the usage frequency or the usage time according to the usage time.
[0050]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a usage pattern of the collaborative design system 1 in the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, in the second embodiment, the design supervising company terminal 30 is also connected to the collaborative design system 1 via the communication network 4 such as ISDN as in the case of the supplier.
[0051]
The procedure of the collaborative design in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 11 is a sequence chart of processing related to purchase of the usage frequency.
[0052]
A user who wishes to use the collaborative design system 1 first makes a usage frequency or usage time purchase request to the collaborative design system 1 (step 21). Upon receiving the request, the collaborative design system 1 pre-registers the usage frequency or usage time (step 22) and charges the user (step 23). The user accepts the charge and makes a payment (step 24). It should be noted that the usage frequency or usage time purchase can be performed on behalf of the user by the design supervising company, or can be performed individually by each supplier.
[0053]
In addition, the above-described processing such as pre-registration may be performed by the collaboration server 9 or the server 13 such as electronic commerce, or another management server is provided in or outside the collaborative design system 1 and is performed by the management server. Also good.
[0054]
FIG. 12 is a sequence chart showing the procedure in the stage of performing the collaborative design.
[0055]
First, the user makes an advance reservation (step 31). This reservation can be made on the Web screen from the terminal of the supplier or the design managing company.
[0056]
The collaborative design system 1 accepts a reservation, and opens the system when the time specified by the reservation is reached. Specifically, access from the reserved user is permitted by authenticating with an ID, password, etc., and the uploaded CAD data can be edited between users. Further, it is possible to use various functions of the cooperative design system described in the first embodiment.
[0057]
The procedure at the stage of collaborative design using the collaborative design system is the same as that of the first embodiment. When the work is completed (step 35), the use frequency or use time is subtracted (step 36). In addition, a periodic audit of usage frequency or usage time is performed as appropriate (step 37).
[0058]
Similar to the above, the processing related to the reservation or the like may be performed by the collaboration server 9 or the server 13 such as electronic commerce, or another management server is provided in or outside the collaborative design system 1 and is performed by the management server. Also good.
[0059]
FIG. 13 shows an example of management table data which the collaboration server 9 or the server 13 such as electronic commerce or the like, or an external management server has. The above processing is executed for each user with reference to this management table.
[0060]
In the example shown in FIG. 13, the user with the user ID number 00001 purchases the frequency 100 on December 6, 2000 (in this embodiment, this means that the collaborative design system of the present invention can be used for 100 hours). This indicates that the remaining frequency is 85 times (hours) because 15 times (hours) are used on the 7th of the month. When the remaining frequency becomes equal to or less than a predetermined frequency (for example, 20), the collaborative design system can notify the user to that effect. By receiving the notification, the user can take further measures such as purchase.
[0061]
As described above, by providing a form in which the collaborative design system is used as necessary by reservation, it becomes easy for small and medium-sized users to use the collaborative design system.
[0062]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications can be made within the scope of the claims.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a collaborative design system that enables CAD designers located at distant locations to perform collaborative design work on a network. In addition, if there are missing parts in the design work, automatically search for suitable parts, etc., or have parts data provided by the supplier, and add the obtained part data to the collaborative design space for compatibility. Etc. can be checked, so that the design work efficiency can be improved.
[0064]
In addition, since it is possible to perform estimation, supplier selection, and ordering in the collaborative design procedure, it is possible to further improve work efficiency.
[0065]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, not only suppliers, but also partner companies, business partners, product planners, and even promotion staff can participate in design work from a remote location, reducing travel expenses, labor costs, and other costs. it can. In addition, since collaborative design is possible without being restricted by time and distance, work efficiency is greatly improved, and timely product introduction is possible by shortening the development period.
[0066]
The present invention can be applied not only to the manufacturing industry but also to various fields such as the construction industry and the video industry.
[0067]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a collaborative design system in a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sequence chart showing a procedure of a collaborative design method in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of data transmitted together with CAD data from a design managing company to a collaboration server.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of data in a component database.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of data in a supplier database.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a CAD screen of an armchair.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of data transferred from the chair maker to the collaboration server 9;
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example when there are a plurality of candidate parts.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a chair after design.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a usage pattern of a collaborative design system in a second example of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a sequence chart of processing relating to purchase of usage frequency (time) in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a sequence chart showing processing at a stage of performing collaborative design in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of management table data for use frequency (time) management in the second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Collaborative design system 2, 4 Network 3 Design supervising company intranet 5 Supplier terminal 6 Engineering module 7 EC module 8 Communication module 9 Collaboration server 10 Strength / performance calculation server 11 Parts database 12 Supplier database 13 Server 14 for electronic commerce etc. Authentication server 15 , 16, 22 Firewall 17, 18 Communication processor 19, 20 CAD terminal 21 Gateway 30 Design company terminal

Claims (7)

A collaborative design method for a design supervisor and a component supplier to perform collaborative design via a communication network,
Receiving basic product design data from the design supervisor;
Based on the basic design data, retrieving and obtaining part data of parts necessary for the product from a parts database;
Verifying whether the part according to the part data is compatible with the product, and making adjustments when interference between parts occurs;
Sending a request for proposal of the part to at least one supplier capable of supplying the part;
Possess the steps to perform the verification or design changes to the component to the suppliers and design main,
The step of retrieving and acquiring the part data from the part database includes:
Searching for a supplier database based on the part data when there is no appropriate part data in the parts database, and sending an information request to at least one supplier;
Adding the component data transmitted from the supplier to the component database and performing the search . The supplier sending a proposal including a delivery date and a price for the part to the design manager;
The collaborative design method according to claim 1, further comprising: a step in which the design supervisor selects a supplier of the part based on the proposal and places an order.   The collaborative design method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of performing the verification or the design change, the supplier and the design supervisor perform joint design work in real time. Selling and registering the usage frequency or usage time to the design supervisor or supplier;
Receiving a pre-use reservation from the design supervisor or supplier;
Causing the design supervisor or supplier to perform collaborative design according to the contents of the reservation;
The collaborative design method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of subtracting the use frequency or the use time when the collaborative design is completed. A collaborative design system for collaborative design by a design supervisor and component supplier via a communication network,
Means for receiving the basic design data of the product from the design supervisor,
Based on the basic design data, means for retrieving and obtaining part data of parts necessary for the product from a parts database;
Means to replace the acquired part data with the part data of the basic design data of the product;
Means for verifying whether or not a part related to the part data is compatible with the product by detecting the presence or absence of interference between parts, and means for adjusting when interference between parts occurs;
To send a request for proposal of the component to at least one supplier capable of supplying the component data, or have a means to support the request for proposal creation design main,
Means for searching and acquiring the component data from the component database,
Means for searching a supplier database based on the component data and transmitting an information request to at least one supplier when there is no appropriate component data in the component database;
A collaborative design system comprising means for adding part data transmitted from a supplier to the part database and performing the search . 6. The collaborative design system according to claim 5 , further comprising means for making a design change related to the component, wherein the supplier and the design supervisor perform a joint design work in real time via a communication network using the means for making the design change. . Means for registering the usage frequency or usage time sold to the design supervisor or supplier;
Means for accepting advance use reservations from the design supervisor or supplier;
Means for causing the design supervisor or supplier to perform collaborative design according to the contents of the reservation;
The collaborative design system according to claim 5 , further comprising means for subtracting the use frequency or the use time when the collaborative design is completed.

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