Components of System - Input

As discussed in the last blog we will be discussing in detail about the components of a system: Lets start with the "Input".

Input: Let me give you some examples before we actually start.

Lets start with ourselves, Human. Our body can be taken as an example as it covers all the components of the system. Let us build some analogies.

Input Functions ( Eyes - Sight , Ears - Sound , Nose - Smell , Touch,etc) These are the typical inputs that our body accepts. We need to analyse this further to understand these inputs to the very minute details. How each input is processed and transfered to our Brain.( Brain - Calculation Center )

We can ask some questions and build some logics. - If we need to build a "Robot" .What will we analyse ?
( Human Robot - Atomated system in ref to a Human ).

Here the inputs play a very significant role. ( Before we can build a processer which is going to process the input data , we need to have a clear understanding of the inputs and the form of input which are to be procesed.

In reference to the above example, let us see how we can analyse the inputs for a system in an organization. ( Sales & Design Processes )

A sales person recieves an inquiry ( Phone, email, document, etc ) and processes the inputs which he has recieved.
Before going to what processing he does let us analyse the inputs.
Every Input recieved contain a specification / intent, we need to filter out the information required for processing and make a list. We will find that the inputs follow a particular pattern and has some common elements which are used in the processing.
In short:
- Filter and list the intent ( specifications ).
- List down the common intent / elements by going through some inputs.
- Decide a form in which the data can be passed to the calculation center.

In the next post we can see, how to build a calculation center and the use of this input in our system.

Building an Automation System

In this post we will be talking about the components of a engineering automation system:
Let do it in a different way, talking about it, any system can be divided or classified into 3 major parts.
- Input
- Process
- Output.
For developing a good system, we should know the fact that things are currently working without a system also, all we are doing is rearranging the existing functions and adding better processes to have smooth working with a better system. we should be able to identify and categorize the components in these these 3 classes. A proper system study is to be insured before we try to place these functions of the system in place.

Lets analyse the it step by step in my next post

Process & Decision Automation

As discussed in my last post about the categorization of automation. In this post i am ellobrating more about the details.

Process Automation:
Typicaly talks of automation of a process, say for example
-- Creations of 2D drawings from a set of 3D models.
-- Generation of Bill of material
-- Extracting cost related information from the design
-- Creations of PDF files from the 2D drawings.
and similar activities which talk about a process.

Decisions Automation:
Typicaly talks about the making of decision or selections process where a logic is involved. A logic based selection automation can be made feasible if we can figure out the selection criterias for the same in advance; say for example.
-- Selection of a bearing in a design based on the parameters extracted from the the shaft design
-- Selections of available standard parts
-- Calculations & Loops in design.
and similar activities which relate to the if and then loop.

Automation & CAD Customization

One of the major component of a complete KBE System which can help a organization to achieve maximum benefits is listed below:
Design Automation
----- Process Automation
----- Decision Automation
CAD customization forms major part of the K.B.E. system as the final output that an Engineering / Manufacturing organization looks forward to are the CAD models as per there requirement and related 2D drawings. Nearly all major CAD packages can be customized to suit the need of the organization.

CAD packages & Customization tool:
AutoCAD.................................( Autolisp / Visual Lisp )
Solid Edge ..............................( Visual Basic / VC ++ )
Unigrahics NX...........................( Ufinc / Ugrip )
PRO/E ....................................( PROTK / J-Link / ProProgram )
SolidWorks ..............................( Visual Basic / VC ++ )
CATIA V5 ................................( CAA Tool )

Automation Service Provider

One of the company in our reference whom we would like to mention in the area of implementing K.B.E Environment is Expert NetCAD Solution Inc.
Expert CAD is based in Georgia, USA having a ISO 9000:2001 certified Development Center in India. They are having a huge legacy of such Design Automation work. Over last five year these services are provided in a very cost efective way by there unique Onsite - Offshore Methodology. For more details about the developed applications refer to the following link http://www.expert-netcad.com/ProjectProfile.asp

KBE from Design Perspective

KBE from Design Perspective:
In a typical Product Life Cycle, one must look for innovative ways for reducing the design to manufacture cycle time. As a solution, comes Knowledge Based Engineering (KBE). The art of collecting and grouping the design knowledge of individuals into a database, and then utilizing them for design automation through customization can be termed as KBE from a design perspective.

KBE & forms of Knowledge Base

Implementing Knowledge Based Engineering & CAD Customization is helping companies to set new standards in the organization. The Data & Knowledge which is available in various forms is refered by the employees from different department during the process of Sales & Design.
The various forms in which the Knowledge Base is available are:
–Spreadsheets.
–Handbooks.
–Engineering Formulae
–Proprietary Software.
–Human Judgment / Rule of Thumb.


Consulting companies who are having experience in development of such K.B.E Systems are coming up to assist the implementations in engineering organizations. These consulting firms are having vast experience in Systems, Analysis & Software Development, this experience is made use of for analysing the current scenario and evolving out with a better systems to work with which takes care of handling and managing the Knowledge Base.