Automated manufacturing cost estimator and supply chain management portal

我们的拟议项目由i4产品设计公司领导，与ShapeSpace、休斯顿我们有(HWH)、中国银行和迈凯伦塑料公司合作，将评估项目和注塑零件的准确软件估计器的可行性，以及连接工程师和英国制造商以满足其供应链要求的门户网站的可行性。i4PD已经开发了一个原型零件成本计算器，但需要经验丰富的工程师输入，并且仅限于注塑零件。该项目将改进现有的计算器，以便可以使用3D数据文件生成准确的、自动化的估计。计算器将从数据文件中提取影响零件模具成本的特征，并在算法中将这些特征与材料成本一起使用，以产生零件的估计价格。ShapeSpace开发了从3D数据文件中提取特征用于零件比较的算法；他们的软件可以扩展用于零件成本计算器。还将开发另外一种新颖的软件工具，仅根据最初的产品需求对项目进行估计。这将通过HWH生成的新的贝叶斯推理和主观逻辑模型来开发。当这些评估工具整合到招标入门网站时，便会参考用户上传的数据，以提高计算器的准确性。为评估入门网站的财务可行性，市场研究会评估对这类平台的需求，以及需要哪些功能以配合目前的报价做法。供应商访谈将通过项目合作伙伴的供应链以及有针对性的调查广告进行。还将对现有的i4pd客户进行调查，以评估买家在门户网站上的需求。测试原型门户的设计将与市场研究同步开始，调查结果将推动未来的迭代。该门户目前计划的功能包括让买家上传项目信息(要求和3D数据)的能力，并允许供应商与潜在客户就特定项目进行沟通，并在项目供应链上竞标。该门户将向买家提供来自供应商的完整报价，或者如果单个供应商无法为整个项目提供报价，则会比较多个报价。此外，该门户将提供对环境影响较小的替代材料和制造工艺等项目的自动反馈，并使用该项目开发的软件估计单个部件的成本。

Our proposed project led by i4 Product Design, with partners ShapeSpace, Houston We Have (HWH), BOC and McLaren Plastics will assess the feasibility of an accurate software estimator of projects and injection moulded parts, and a portal that connects engineers and UK manufacturers to fulfill their supply chains requirements.A prototype part cost calculator has been developed by i4pd, but requires input from experienced engineers, and is limited to injection moulded parts. This project will refine the existing calculator so that an accurate, automated estimate can be generated using 3D data files. The calculator will extract features that affect the cost of the part mould from the data file, and use these features alongside material costs in an algorithm to produce an estimated price of the part. ShapeSpace develops algorithms that extract features from 3D data files for part comparison; their software can be extended for use in the part cost calculator. An additional novel software tool will also be developed that provides an estimate for a project based solely on initial product requirements. This will be developed through a new Bayesian Reasoning and Subjective Logic model, generated by HWH. When integrated into a tendering portal, these estimation tools will be draw on data uploaded by users to improve the calculators' accuracy.To assess financial feasibility of the portal, market research will assess demand for such a platform along with what features would be required to fit current quotation practices. Vendor interviews will be conducted through the project partner's supply chains along with targeted survey advertising. Additional surveys will be performed with existing i4pd clients to assess Buyers needs on the portal. Design of a test prototype portal will begin in parallel with the market research, and the results of the survey will drive future iterations.The current planned features for the portal include the ability for Buyers to upload project information (requirements and 3D data) and allow Vendors to communicate with potential clients about specific projects and bid on the supply chain for projects. The portal will present full quotations from vendors to the buyers or collate multiple quotations if a single Vendor cannot supply for a full project. In addition, the portal will provide automated feedback on a project such as alternative materials and manufacturing processes that have a lower environmental impact, and an estimate of what individual parts will cost using the software developed in this project.