A Collaborative Design Frame based on Virtual Prototypes and virtual Manufacturing

A collaborative design frame based on virtual prototype and virtual manufacturing (CDFVPM) is explored. In CDFVPM, the virtual product prototype (VPP) used as a product shared information database, and to view the product during design process before creation of any physical prototype, to detect the product´s performance by simulating the product´s working process and interactive using process. The engineers related to developing products do collaborative jobs by working on the virtual product prototypes. The synthetic evaluation system (SES) is used to evaluate the product´s quality and performance at every phase during product development process. Virtual manufacturing system (VMS) is used as a visual interactive simulation environment so that the engineers or customers are immersed in this environment and designed products are apperceived or controlled. By supporting of VPP/SES/VMS, the product development cycle will be shortened considerably; the product quality and performance will also be ensured effectively. Application examples are given.