COMBINED APPLICATION OF CAXX AND DFMA TECHNIQUES IN THE DESIGN PROCESS

This paper aims to present a summary about the activity of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering in the University of Pannonia on the research of the product and process design methods - supported by CAXX (Computer Aided Techniques) and DFMA (Design For Manufacture and Assembly) technologies. The paper summarizes the main types of the requirements raised against the newly developed products as well as the production processes. In addition, this paper reviews the main optimizing methods, targets widely used to find the suitable solutions for the complex demand of the customer/owner/society. Application samples are presented to demonstrate the effective use of the combined CAXX/DFMA methods reaching the optimal solution. the combined adaptation of the CAXX technologies and the DFA/DFM/DFMA modules is applicable to develop an effective product and production process design method, which can guarantee the simultaneous fulfillment of the complete specification and the fulfillment of the product level as well as the production system level optimum criteria. The specific cost data (labor cost, social expenses, energy costs) in the DFMA methodology are location dependent. This factor may limit the general validity of the results. The usage of CAXX technologies, DFMA and optimizing methods in different productprocess development projects demonstrated the adaptability of the CAXX technologies in different industrial environments. The paper demonstrated, that the high end design methods are effective applicable not only for high volume production, but also for SMEs working with small series as well as in the prototyping procedures.