Aspects of linking CAD and cost estimation software

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis describes a module that links AutoCAD and CeDeas (cost estimationsoftware which was developed by Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universityof Stellenbosch). CeDeas is intended for estimating the direct manufacturing cost ofsimple welded assemblies in a batch production environment. It is aimed at use duringlate concept design or early detail design.The link module was developed in Borland C++ Builder. By using COM (ComponentObject Model) technology, the link module employs the methods and the properties ofthe AutoCAD automation interface to extract manufacturing information that isrequired by CeDeas.The link module prompts the user to pick objects in an AutoCAD drawing and thendetermines the values required by CeDeas to estimate the manufacturing cost. Theuser can choose between a direct select method (which uses the properties ofgeometric entities already in the drawing) and a user define method (whereby theuser defmes temporary entities or combines aspects of existing entities in theAutoCAD drawing). With these results and some non-geometric inputs, the user canget a cost estimate of components and assemblies. After design changes, the linkmodule can provide CeDeas with updated values with minimal user interaction insituations where the direct select method was used. The designer can thereforeeasily use the cost estimates to compare design alternatives to optimise the design.Validation studies demonstrated the numerical accuracy of the use of the link module.The link module can be regarded as an extension of CeDeas. At present it onlysupports AutoCAD R14, but can be extended to support AutoCAD 2000 andMechanical Desktop.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University