SBIR Phase I: Supply Chain Optimization and Product Explorer

这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目探索了开发供应链优化和产品浏览器(Scope)的可行性，该系统包括独特的3D形状搜索技术，并在指定产品参数时实现跨扩展企业的更紧密集成和供应链上至决策者的无缝信息流。研究和开发的目标是1)开发3D形状搜索技术，该技术最初将用于搜索和检索制造供应链中的零部件和产品。2)开发一个作用域体系结构，以索引整个供应链网络中的3D零件和产品信息。该体系结构将被概念化，一个具有代表性的模型将作为一个整体展示系统，这将包括利用3D形状搜索研究和展示搜索结果。3D形状搜索算法将通过使用将3D B-Rep部件表示为体素模型的方法来开发，体素模型是通过一组立方体元素对3D几何图形的近似。3D形状搜索技术的研究将包括：1)利用地标和骨架图进行形状表示。骨架图表示方法捕捉细节层次的形状表示，层次骨架图结构允许局部形状匹配。2)形状比较使用低信息损失，直方图表示的图形，允许快速和准确的图形比较。3)智能查询界面，它将具有快速而新颖的方式来表示查询中的形状拓扑，在查询部分中选择感兴趣的特征，以及易于导航的基于簇的搜索结果界面。这项拟议的研究将允许应用3D形状搜索技术来弥合行业实现的差距，因为该技术将允许在整个供应链中快速、准确地定位部件和产品数据，从而使企业能够凝聚力增强，供应链得到优化。美国制造商目前面临着当前供应链管理系统中与在指定产品参数时从供应链实时搜索和检索信息相关的能力的严重缺口，导致价值数十亿美元的过时部件库存，锁定部件信息库存，并在非生产性搜索和重新设计工作中浪费宝贵的工时。Scope及其3D搜索技术旨在通过实现对整个供应链中以不同格式存储的零件数据的可靠和准确访问来解决这一技术差距，这些信息是迄今为止使用传统搜索技术无法访问的。鉴于航空航天、制造、医疗设备和其他行业的公司越来越倾向于3D数据定义，3D搜索技术在搜索和检索供应链中现有信息的准确性、速度和相关性方面实现了巨大的飞跃。重要的是，3D Shape Search凭借其在搜索和检索能力方面的根本性改进，有可能创造全新的市场和产品，成为先进搜索系统的基础技术，其应用范围从制药或生物技术研究的识别分子到安全机构的人脸识别。Scope及其独特的3D形状搜索技术将使美国航空航天、制造和医疗设备公司通过更好地整合和优化其供应链，节省数十亿美元。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project explores the feasibility to develop a Supply Chain Optimization and Product Explorer (SCOPE) that includes a unique 3D Shape Search technology, and enables tighter integration across the extended enterprise and seamless flow of information up the supply chain to decision makers at the point when product parameters are being specified. The research and development objectives are to 1) Develop a 3D Shape Search Technology that will initially be geared towards search and retrieval of parts and products from a manufacturing supply chain. 2) Develop a SCOPE architecture to index 3D part and product information across a supply chain network. The architecture will be conceptualized and a representative model will be prototyped to show system as a whole, which would include the utilization of the 3D Shape search research and demonstration of search results. The 3D shape search algorithm will be developed by using the methodology of representing a 3D B-Rep part as a voxel model, which is an approximation of the 3D geometry by a set of cubic volume elements. The 3D shape search technology research will include the development of 1) Shape Representation using Landmark and Skeletal graphs. Skeletal graph representation method captures detailed level shape representation and hierarchical skeletal graph structure allows for local shape matching. 2) Shape comparison using low information loss, histogram representation of the graph to allow for quick and accurate graph comparison. 3) Intelligent Query Interface that will have a quick and novel way of representing the topology of the shape in the query, selection of feature of interest in the query part, and easily navigable cluster based search results interface. The proposed research, will allow application of the 3D shape search technology to bridge the gap realized by the industry, for a technology that will allow quick and accurate location of part and product data in real-time across the supply chain, thus enabling a cohesive extended enterprise and an optimized supply-chain. US manufacturers are currently faced with a critical gap in capability in current Supply Chain Management systems related to real-time search and retrieval of information from the supply chain at the point when product parameters are being specified leading to billions of dollars worth of obsolete parts inventory, locked up inventory on part information and wastage of valuable man-hours in non productive search and redesign work. SCOPE, along with its 3D search technology aims to address this technology gap, by enabling reliable and accurate access to part data stored in disparate formats across a supply chain, information that was hitherto inaccessible using traditional search technologies. Given a growing trend amongst companies in aerospace, manufacturing, medical equipments and other industries towards 3Ddata definition, the 3Dsearch technology provides a quantum leap in terms of accuracy, speed and relevance in the search and retrieval of information existing within the supply chain. Importantly the 3D shape search with its radical improvement in search and retrieval capabilities has the potential to create completely new markets and products, by becoming a foundation technology for advanced search systems having applications as diverse as identifying molecules for pharmaceutical or bio-technology research to face recognition for security agencies. SCOPE along with its unique 3D shape search technology will enable US companies in aerospace, manufacturing and medical equipments to save billions of dollars through better integration and optimization of their supply chain.