Framework for automating cost estimates in assembly processes

When a product concept emerges, the manufacturing engineer is asked to sketch out a production strategy and estimate its cost. The engineer is given an initial product design, along with a schedule of expected production volumes. The engineer then determines the best approach to manufacturing the product, comparing a variety of alternative production strategies. The engineer must consider capital cost, operating cost, lead-time, and other issues in an attempt to maximize profits. After making these basic choices and sketching the design of overall production, the engineer produces estimates of the required capital, operating costs, and production capacity. This process may iterate as the product design is refined in order to improve its performance or manufacturability. The focus of this paper is on the development of computer tools to aid manufacturing engineers in their decision-making processes. This computer software tool provides a framework in which accurate cost estimates can be seamlessly derived from design requirements at the start of any engineering project. The result is faster cycle times through first-pass success; lower life cycle cost due to requirements-driven design and accurate cost estimates derived early in the process.