The Process for Developing the Methodology

A methodology for creating and using families of parts was developed by using the Family of Parts software to create four different test cases, and analyzing the process used for each of these parts. As each case was finished, it was made available to the CADDS5 users at Raytheon for them to use and provide feedback about the process. A first draft of the methodology was created after the second test case had been completed. This methodology was used to create the third and fourth cases. During these final two cases, changes were made to the methodology as necessary. There are several sources that provide basic strategies for creating parametric parts. These strategies are designed to improve the quality of the parametric models, and allow easier regeneration of parts [CV] [Mortenson] [Shah] [Zeid]. The methodology created for this study goes beyond these strategies and incorporates analyzing the parts to determine what geometric features should and should not be included, and how to create more efficient models. It also incorporates items specific to the software involved. The first two test cases were necessary to build a sufficient amount of background material to create a useful methodology.

Before the first case was selected and built, criteria for selecting these test cases had to be established. A survey of CADDS5 users at Raytheon was conducted to determine how they use standard parts, what standard parts they use, and any standard modeling practices that would affect how these parts are created.

Last Modified: Wed Aug 28 14:41:29 EDT 1996