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As most existing computer‐aided design systems do not provide part feature information which is essential for process planning, automatic part feature recognition systems serve as an important link between Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Process Planning (CAPP). Attempts to provide a structural framework for understanding various issues related to part feature recognition. Reviews previous work in the field of part feature recognition and classifies known feature recognition systems for the sake of updating information and future research. Briefly introduces about 12 systems. Studies 31 systems and lists them in the Appendix based on 60 references. Comments on future research directions.

The purpose of this paper is to show with figures the potentialities of knowledge‐based engineering (KBE) methods in new product development (NPD). It estimates the business value generated by a tool which integrates the handoff between engineering groups of a large aerospace company.

The paper is based on three years of observation and interviews at a leading Italian firm. A process‐based approach is used for assessing business value.

The KBE application automated the preparation of data transferred to computer‐aided engineering engineers for analysis by computer‐aided design engineers and reduced the time required by more than 90 percent. This allowed time savings which contributed to enhance product quality.

The paper is based on a single case, though its findings are consistent with prior studies. Future research will implement like applications in other contexts at the subject firm and other firms.

The paper helps managers to understand the uses and potential value of KBE applications, enhancing the awareness of NPD practitioners in a field which is still partially untapped.

The paper combines discussion of the technical aspects of implementing a KBE tool with estimates of performance improvement achieved. It can be a useful illustration of a good practice and a proof‐of‐concept for further implementations in complex engineering settings.

Blended learning is an emerging trend across many educational settings, adopting the purposeful integration of traditional face-to-face and online teaching to establishing an engaging learning experience for the students. Blended learning provides an ideal platform for the implementation of reusable learning objects (RLOs) as a pedagogical tool to support classroom instruction.

This study had conducted a quasi-experiment followed by semi-structured interviews to determine if a blended learning approach using RLOs can enhance students’ learning in an undergraduate engineering computer-aided design (CAD) module. This study involved learners studying engineering in two different academic years.

Students from the first year were taught using traditional face-to-face teaching approach. The cohort of students from the subsequent year adopted a blended learning approach: face to face and access to a series of RLOs. The analysis revealed statistical evidence that the use of blended learning had a significant impact on the students' end of term exam grades in the CAD module in comparison to the students who undertook traditional face-to-face teaching approach. The qualitative findings highlighted the positive impact of RLOs on students’ learning behaviour, engagement and knowledge retention.

This study provided empirical evidence of the benefits of using RLOs as a blended learning tool in engineering domain. From a theoretical perspective, the findings highlighted the importance of good instructional design and sound theoretical underpinning of the pedagogical strategy. From a practical point of view, this study informed academics on how to improve learner's academic achievement using RLOs.

Due to the increasing size and complexity of construction projects, construction engineering and management involves the coordination of many complex and dynamic processes and relies on the analysis of uncertain, imprecise and incomplete information, including subjective and linguistically expressed information. Various modelling and computing techniques have been used by construction researchers and applied to practical construction problems in order to overcome these challenges, including fuzzy hybrid techniques. Fuzzy hybrid techniques combine the human-like reasoning capabilities of fuzzy logic with the capabilities of other techniques, such as optimization, machine learning, multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) and simulation, to capitalise on their strengths and overcome their limitations. Based on a review of construction literature, this chapter identifies the most common types of fuzzy hybrid techniques applied to construction problems and reviews selected papers in each category of fuzzy hybrid technique to illustrate their capabilities for addressing construction challenges. Finally, this chapter discusses areas for future development of fuzzy hybrid techniques that will increase their capabilities for solving construction-related problems. The contributions of this chapter are threefold: (1) the limitations of some standard techniques for solving construction problems are discussed, as are the ways that fuzzy methods have been hybridized with these techniques in order to address their limitations; (2) a review of existing applications of fuzzy hybrid techniques in construction is provided in order to illustrate the capabilities of these techniques for solving a variety of construction problems and (3) potential improvements in each category of fuzzy hybrid technique in construction are provided, as areas for future research.

This study proposes a design automation system that integrates traditional segmental design processes into a solid unified system composed of need assessment, computer aided design, computer aided engineering and rapid prototyping. The system utilizes the computer network in conjunction with the quality function deployment technique coupled with a well designed expert system to precisely transform customers’ needs into producible product specification. The product is then displayed using a three‐dimensional representation and simulated through numerical analysis using a finite element method. The resulting feasible design alternative is finally linked to the rapid prototyper to produce the sample object. The use of the system is believed to greatly reduce R&D cost and significantly shorten the product design cycle, while closely meeting the customer’s needs.

Although organizations have more data than ever at their disposal, actually deriving meaningful insights and actions from them is easier said than done. In this concern, the main objective of this study is to identify trends and research opportunities regarding data management within new product development (NPD) and collaborative engineering.

Bibliometric and systemic analyses have been carried out using the methodological procedure ProKnow-C, which provides a structured framework for the literature review. A bibliographic portfolio (BP) was consolidated with 33 papers that represent the state of art in the subject.

Most recent researches within the BP indicate new trends and paradigm shifts in this area of research, tackling subjects such as the internet of things, cloud computing, big data analytics and digital twin. Research gaps include the lack of data automation and the absence of a common architecture for systems integration. However, from a general perspective of the BP, the management of experimental data is suggested as a research opportunity for future works. Although many studies have tackled data and collaboration based on computer-aided technologies environments, no study examined the management of the measured data collected during the verification and validation stages of a product.

This work provides a fresh and relevant source of authors, journals and studies for researchers and practitioners interested in the domain of data management applied to NPD and collaborative engineering.

This paper aims to present a reverse engineering (RE) approach for three-dimensional (3D) model reconstruction and fast prototyping (FP) of broken chess pieces.

A case study involving a broken chess piece was selected to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed unconventional RE approach. Initially, a laser 3D scanner was used to acquire a (non-uniform rational B-spline) surface model of the object, which was then processed to develop a parametric computer aided design (CAD) model combined with geometric design and tolerancing (GD&T) technique for evaluation and then for FP of the part using a computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine.

The effectiveness of the proposed approach for reconstruction and FP of rotational parts was ascertained through a sample part. The study demonstrates non-contact data acquisition technologies such as 3D laser scanners together with RE systems can support to capture the entire part geometry that was broken/worn and developed quickly through the application of computer aided manufacturing principles and a CNC machine. The results indicate that design communication, customer involvement and FP can be efficiently accomplished by means of an integrated RE workflow combined with rapid product development tools and techniques.

This research established a RE approach for the acquisition of broken/worn part data and the development of parametric CAD models. Then, the developed 3D CAD model was inspected for accuracy by means of the GD&T approach and rapidly developed using a CNC machine. Further, the proposed RE led FP approach can provide solutions to similar industrial situations wherein agility in the product design and development process is necessary to produce physical samples and functional replacement parts for aging systems in a short turnaround time.

The management of engineering changes (ECs) entails serious resource implications in all manufacturing companies, because nearly all the functions of the organisations will be involved. Indeed, these functions may be the sources and also the victims of ECs. Manufacturing companies have to cater for these ECs by adjusting their activities constantly. The robustness of manufacturing can be crippled by ineffective and inefficient management of ECs, irrespective of the advances in manufacturing technologies. This paper studies the current industrial practices in managing ECs in the UK manufacturing industries. The study draws reference from a comprehensive investigation carried out in 1996 within 100 UK manufacturing companies. Numerous aspects have been examined, including the systems, organisations, activities, influential factors, strategies, techniques, and computer aids. One major concern is the balance between the effectiveness and efficiency of the engineering change management (ECM) system. The findings reveal that guidelines for good ECM practices are required for the majority of the companies involved in the study. The study has also shown clearly that ECM has not attracted sufficient attention in research despite its industrial relevance.

The purpose of this paper is to present the methodology of a design process of new lumbar intervertebral disc implants with specific emphasis on the use of rapid prototyping technologies. The verification of functionality of artificial intervertebral discs is also given. The paper describes the attempt and preliminary research to evaluate the properties of the intervertebral disc implant prototypes manufactured with the use of different rapid prototyping technologies, i.e. FDM – fused deposition modelling, 3DP – 3D printing and SLM – selective laser melting.

Based on the computed tomography (CT) scan data, the anatomical parameters of lumbar spine bone tissue were achieved, which were the bases for the design-manufacture process carried out with the use of computer-aided designing/computer-aided engineering/computer-aided manufacturing systems. In the intervertebral disc implant design process, three RP technologies: FDM, 3DP and SLM were used for solving problems related to the reconstruction of geometry and functionality of the disc. Some preliminary tests such as measurement of roughness and structural analyses of material of prototypes made by different prototyping technologies were performed.

This paper allowed the authors to elaborate and patent two new intervertebral disc implants. Because the implant designs are parametrical ones with relation to lumbar bone tissue properties measured on CT scans, they can be also made for individual patients. We also compared some of the properties of intervertebral implants prototypes made with the use of FDM, 3DP and SLM technologies.

The paper presents the new intervertebral disc implants and their manufacturing by rapid prototyping. The methodology of designing intervertebral disc implant is shown. Some features of the methodology make it useful for preoperative planning of intervertebral disc surgery, as well.

The computer aided engineering and the respective computer aided design tools compose a modern mechanical modelling environment for the textile materials. The numerical mechanical models of the textile structures are a strong tool for the in‐depth study of the mechanical properties and the behaviour of the textiles. The precision of these models in terms of their accuracy in representing the exact geometry of the real textile structures is the fundamental factor affecting the overall success of the idealisation. This paper discusses older traditional analytical models (Peirce, Saw‐tooth, Kemp) as well as some variations of these fundamental models. Their numerical solutions are successfully compared to the experimental measurements of the yarn longitudinal deformation parameters using microscopic and digital image processing techniques. The results of the analytical models are compared with the actual measurements and the more precise models are indicated.