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Presents a review on implementing finite element methods on supercomputers, workstations and PCs and gives main trends in hardware and software developments. An appendix included at the end of the paper presents a bibliography on the subjects retrospectively to 1985 and approximately 1,100 references are listed.

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 investigate computer‐aided design (CAD) and computer‐aided engineering (CAE) as enablers of agile manufacturing (AM).

Based on the literature review, the importance of technology integration enabling AM has been found. CAD technology has been used for modelling baseline product; CAE has been used for deriving optimized parameters; new designs have been derived.

The feasibility of CAD and CAE as enablers of AM has been ensured.

The study has been conducted only in one automotive sprocket manufacturing organization.

The practical feasibility of generating new products through technology integration has been ensured.

Very little research has been reported on technology‐integrated AM practices. In this study, CAD and CAE have been used for enabling product development.

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.

Clarifies issues relating to product data management (PDM) since a survey of 600 European manufacturing company managers placed it at the top of the list for computer technology investment. Discusses the acceleration in PDM technology since 1993. Highlights the key differences between PDM and other computer‐aided technologies.

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.

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.

Reports on the computer‐aided design (CAD) upgrade implementation process at PBR Automotive Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia. Views the implementation as successful since many of the desired outcomes have been achieved or surpassed. The key success factors were detailed planning, user involvement and vendor support. These combined to create an atmosphere of excitement in the project and success. Reports on the future plans that include the development of an integrated information system at PBR which will involve customers and suppliers in addition to internal personnel. The CAD system upgrade serves as a launching board for the development of such a system.

The purpose of this study is to propose an isogeometric analysis (IGA) approach for solving the Reynolds equation in textured piston ring cylinder liner (PRCL) contacts.

The texture region is accurately and conveniently expressed by non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS) besides hydrodynamic pressure and the oil film density ratio is represented in this mathematical form. A quadratic programming method combined with a Lagrange multiplier method is developed to address the cavitation issue.

The comparison with the results solved by an analytical method has verified the effectiveness of the proposed approach. In the study of the PRCL contact with two-dimensional circular dimple textures, the solution of the IGA approach shows high smoothness and accuracy, and it well satisfies the complementarity condition in the case of cavitation presence.

This paper proposes an IGA approach for solving the Reynolds equation in textured PRCL contacts. Its novelty is reflected in three aspects. First, NURBS functions are simultaneously used to express the solution domain, texture shape, hydrodynamic pressure and oil density ratio. Second, the streamline upwind/Petrov–Galerkin method is adopted to create a weak form for the Reynolds equation that takes the oil density ratio as a first-order unknown variable. Third, a quadratic programming approach is developed to impose the complementarity conditions between the hydrodynamic pressure and the oil density ratio.

The monograph analyses (a) the potential impact of information technology (IT) on organisational issues that directly concern the personnel function; (b) the nature of personnel’s involvement in the decision making and activities surrounding the choice and implementation of advanced technologies, and (c) their own use of IT in developing and carrying out their own range of specialist activities. The monograph attempts to explain why personnel’s involvement is often late, peripheral and reactive. Finally, an analysis is made of whether personnel specialists – or the Human Resource Management function more generally – will play a more proactive role in relation to such technologies in the future.