Automatic on-screen cost estimation at the early design stage

The early stage of design is characterised by a low level of product definition and detail. However it is at this stage that a large proportion of the avoidable costs are typically created. There is a need for designers to estimate product costs at this stage with more accuracy. This paper describes a prototype on-line automated computer system for injection mouldings that meets this need. It utilises the IDEAS solid modelling package in which a special set of injection moulding features has been configured for product development. As each feature is added to the product model, parametrics are used to estimate costs using a small number of parameters derived from specific component features and other conceptual design data. The computer system provides a concurrent on-screen cost estimate as the product is developed that is within 20 % of the actual cost and the processing parameters likely to be used.