Engineers helping Engineers

Design AutomationAssociates

Engineering Services and Knowledge Based Engineering

March 6, 2015

John Lambert - President & CEO

Paul Fletcher – Director of Development

1

Web Based Selection for Complex

Products with

Knowledge Based Engineering

DAA Proprietary, Jan 2015

We are…Energy Equipment

Mechanical Engineers Specializing

in Custom Written Engineering

Software.

February 2012

DAA is a leader in

Knowledge Based

Engineering.

When the problems

are difficult, that’s

when DAA really

shines.

Welcome to DAA!

Welcome to DAA!

January 7, 2015

• 25 man firm, Located in Suffield CT

• Founded in 1997 by two former United

Technologies Engineers

• Engineering Software Systems for

Energy Related Products

• Mechanical Engineering Services

Mission: Keeping manufacturers competitive

by solving their difficult engineering

development and productivity problems

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Agenda

• Problem Description• Opportunity• Typical Solution Description• Case Study – SPX Cooling Technologies• System Architecture & Construction

Options• Geometry Generation (3D & 2D)• Technology Tools• Other Case Studies• Summary and Conclusions

January 7, 2015

DAA is a leader in

Knowledge Based

Engineering.

When the problems

are difficult, that’s

when DAA really

shines.

4

DAA Proprietary

Problem Description

• The selection of complex products and systems frequently requires engineering calculations, product configuration and geometric definition.

• Sales channels (internal, external, distribution, etc…) often require engineering support which increases sales cycle time and cost. (may other issues too).

• Companies who solve this problem have demonstratedsignificant benefits in market share, revenues and margins.

• Problem solution requires significant mechanical engineering product prowess and support. Internal engineering support can be a major issue.

January 7, 2015 5

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Opportunity

• Create a knowledge based, software ApplicationEnvironment.

• The environment will automate engineering logic, selection and application rules.

• Enable sales, distribution and end customers (if desired) to quickly select, quote, order and download product spec. sheets, 2D & 3D envelope geometry in real time.

• Link to internal data systems for pricing, product information and manufacturing entry.

January 7, 2015 6

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Typical Solution Description

• Server based application produces outputs for Web-based Configurator/Selector

• Application Environment rather than the typical ERP configurator focus of part numbers and BOM entries

• Application is Driven by a Separate Queuing System

• Output Consists of Models, Drawings, BOM, Spec. Sheets, Engineering, Sizing and Performance calculations

• Configurations can be very large

• Integrated into existing company web-site (if desired)

January 7, 2015 7

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Typical Solution Features

Full Authentication & Existing Web-site Integration Integration with ERP, Configurators & other

corporate resources Product

Catalogs Selection Configuration Engineer to order Bills of Material CAM interface

Project Tracking Quoting Order processing Checkout Order Tracking

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Typical Areas of Application

Engineering Automation

- Drawings, Schematics 2D & 3D Wireframe

- Solid Models & Assemblies

- BOMs, Documentation, Reports

- Automated FEA (thermal & structural)

- Overall Systems Integration and Automation

Sales Automation

Custom Engineered Proposal Drawings

Automated Proposals, Quotations

Pricing Logic, ERP integration

Automated emails, reports, etc….

WEB Based so direct sales, reps and customers

can use!

Manufacturing Work Order Automation

Assembly & Machining Fixtures

Routings/Work Cell Selection/OP Sheets

Inspection Documents/Scheduling

Machine, Tool & Fixture Design

January 7, 2015 9DAA Proprietary

Case Study: Industrial Cooling Towers

January 7, 2015DAA Proprietary10

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Web Based Application Inputs

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User Interface & Output Request

January 7, 201512DAA Proprietary

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SPX Results

• Reduced Inquiry-to-Order and Order-to-Fulfillment delivery times.

• Re-deployed experienced engineers to new product development & process improvements instead of repetitive, order configuration activities.

• Maintained current “head-count” while adding capacity.

• Enabled Sales personnel to configure solutions accurately during the quotation phase without the need for Engineering.

January 7, 2015 13

System Architecture,

Options & Construction

Techniques

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CAD Opera

tion

CAD Queue

(User-Defined)

CAD

Design

Resource 1

SS

Design

Resource 1

CAD Job

Spreadsheet

Queue

(User-Defined)Spreadsheet Job

Web

ServerSpreadSheet Operation

Send completed results

back to the Knowledge

Processor. If the user

has logged off, save the

results until the user

returns. Otherwise,

display the results to the

user immediately.

Results

User submits a job through

a web browser. The job

consists of generating a

dynamic CAD drawing and

a Bill of Material output to

a Spreadsheet

Computer #2

Computer #1

Operations (also called Jobs) are

stored in a Queue until a matching

Design Resource becomes

available and processes the job.

Additional

User-Defined

Queue User-Defined Job

User-Defined Operation

UD

Design

Resource N

Each Design Resource

directly interfaces with a

different aspect of your

business rules.

This means that each one

is assigned a specific type

of job to accomplish

(Spreadsheet, CAD, user-

defined, etc).

Your

CAD

Rules

Your

SS

Rules

Your

UD

RulesAny number of

Design Resources

can be created on

any number of

computers.

DAA’s

Knowledge

Processor

Any number of

User-Defined

Queues can be

created

Typical Solution

Architecture

January 7, 2015 15DAA Proprietary

Web Technologies

Non Proprietary 3rd Party, Proprietary

Benefits of Non-Proprietary Approach

• Simplified Technology “Stack”

• Client owns and controls all source code

• Ease of modification, integration, & growth

• Tailored look & feel

Benefits of Proprietary Approach

• Pre-defined layouts & screens

• Pre-defined processes

• Platform maintenance provided annually

• Quick-start

January 7, 2015 16DAA Proprietary

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3D Geometry Generation via

CAD Server

• 3D Templates or Dynamic Generation are Options

• Inputs to CAD server Generally via XML of Configuration

Parameters

• Calculate Assembly, Sub-assembly and Component

Parameters

• Load Component Templates

• Set Component Parameters

• Build Assembly from Configured Components

January 7, 2015 17

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2D Drawing Generation

• Attributes and Parameters are controlled by programming logic

• Dimensions, Symbols and Note Locations are Associated with Supplied Points

• Drafting Object (Sheets, Views, Dimensions) Visibility is Controlled Via Parameters

• Scales, Dimension text and Notes are Tied to Attributes and Parameters

• Model Objects Visible in Each View are Controlled by Layers

January 7, 2015 18

Web Implementation Tools

Broad base of tool & technology experience…

Web

HTML, HTML5, JavaScript, CSS, jQuery (including UI and Mobile libraries), Knockout, Require JS, MVC4, Microsoft Technology Stack -.NET, Windows API, ASP.NET, Silverlight, VB.NET, VB, Python, C++, web services (SOAP/REST): WCF, Web.API

Database

Microsoft SQL and Oracle Server database expertise

CAD API / Plug-ins / Rule Engines

Autodesk Inventor Server / ETO Server, Inventor Plugins, AutoCAD Plugins, AutoCAD (ARX), Siemens NX, Solid Edge, SolidWorks, .NET Plugins

Analysis

Nastran, Ansys, Abaqus, Marc

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Algorithmic Logic Predicate Logic (if-then) , Proprietary

Logic & Rule Processing Tools

Geometry Languages & API’s

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• Exact path of integration depends on the total solution architecture and many factors– Submit / process orders– Obtain availability / pricing – Part numbers, etc.

• Option to go direct or utilize 3rd party software– Mainly focused on CAD/Engineering workflow

• Option to use mirrored DB for pricing & availability – Periodically synchronized

• Option to use file passing– Usually XML

DAA solution

designs utilize the

appropriate mix of

3rp party utilities

and/or appropriate

API & XML

approaches.

ERP & Back-End System

Integration Tools

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Miscellaneous Case Studies

in Energy Related Equipment

and Related Automation

January 7, 2015 22DAA Proprietary

Product: Diaphragms

Analysis Automation

Design Automation

Manufacturing Automation

Highlights:

3D Solids

Manufacturing Drawings

Bolt Hole Positioning Optimization

Bolted Analysis

Linked to Excel Spread Sheet

Complexity (1-10): 5

Deployment: Client Based

Current Status: In production since 2004

Results: Design Time Reduced 18 Hours to 30

minutes

Elimination Manual iteration of Bolt

Location & Analysis

Centrifugal Compression

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Product: Diaphragms

Design Automation

Drafting Automation

Manufacturing Deliverables for NC

Highlights:

3D Part & Assembly Solids

Manufacturing Drawings

Accommodate any blade shape

NX native & TeamCenter

Complexity (1-10): 7

Deployment: Client Based

Current Status: In Production Since May 2007

Nozzle Design

January 7, 2015 24DAA Proprietary

Product: Linear Bearings

Configuration Automation

Manufacturing Automation

Highlights: 3D Solids

Manufacturing Op Sheets & Drawings

Inspection Documents

Routings

Complexity (1-10): 5

Deployment: Client Based

Current Status: Production - 1998

Results:

Design Time Reduced From 8 –16 Hour Process to Just Minutes

Enabled Reassignment of 3 Manufacturing Engineers

Process standardization and knowledge capture

Industrial Bearings

January 7, 2015 25DAA Proprietary

Flexible Joint Analysis Automation

January 7, 2015

Product: Automated Elastic-Plastic FEA Analysis Tool for Large Deflection Flexible Tubes

Analysis Automation

Correlation with Test Data

Highlights: Automated FEA of family of flexible hydraulic

components

Quickly determine non-linear spring rates, number of cycles to stabilize plastic hysteresis (Shakedown)

Elastic-Plastic analysis, large deflections

Complexity (1-10): 8

Deployment: Client Based

Current Status: Analysis process complete & verified against test data

Results: Reduction in analysis time

Reduction is sales proposal time

Increased accuracy in predictions

Enhanced understanding of elastic-plastic behaviour, shakedown

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Automated FEA analysis

January 7, 2015 27DAA Proprietary

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Summary & Conclusions

• Application based, knowledge driven environments for complex product selection is a well validated approach.

• Custom written selection tools are an excellent solution as they avoid 3rd party software tools and related concerns.

• Systems can be incrementally developed over time to work within any prescribed annual constraints.

• These systems can be maintained internally or by 3rd party resources.

• Product engineering knowledge is a major benefit when implementing these systems. Providers with this background be a great help.

January 7, 2015 28

Engineers helping Engineers

Design AutomationAssociates

Engineering Services and Knowledge Based Engineering

Thank you!

DAA Proprietary