Computer generated models for improving communication within the design process

The major means of communication within a manufacturing industries new product development (NPD) process is by means of models. By definition modelling is that activity whereby products are represented in a form other than in their final manufactured state. One of the most common forms of model is the engineering drawing in which all aspects of a product (form, finishes, construction details, etc.) can be represented on paper. A commonly understood form of model is the three dimensional (3D) physical model. This could be a nonfunctioning appearance model, a breadboard model to develop some technological feature or a pre-production prototype which is very close in appearance, construction and function to the manufactured item. The different disciplines involved in the design and development processes of NPD have their own forms of models to aid the progression of their tasks all of which are critical to the success of NPD. The authors have recognised the need for more closely related models to be used across the different disciplines of NPD. This is especially true if computer based concurrent engineering techniques are to be used to reduce the overall time of NPD. This paper discusses the problems associated with this consolidation of model types (particularly from the viewpoint of the industrial design profession) and suggests technology which may provide a solution