Concurrent engineering process modelling and coordination system (CEPCS).

Abstract

The Concurrent Engineering Process Modelling and Coordination System (CEPCS) aims to control the overall cost of a product lifecycle effectively through concurrent engineering (CE) process modelling of the design phase and to provide an Internet-based coordination system to carry out the workflow documented within the process model.CEPCS uses the IDEF0 methodology to design the process model. Activation rules are defined to overcome the limitations of IDEF0 in handling feedback and iteration that are common in design processes. The resultant IDEF0 function model is used directly by the coordination system to support the workflow of design process.An IDEF0 toolkit is implemented to support the use of existing IDEF0 editors, as well as to support the operations of the coordination system.