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  • Author Author: Catwell
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Penn State’s Applied Research Lab becomes more efficient using aPriori software

Catwell

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aPriori work flow concept (via aPriori)

 

Companies and institutions often find themselves incurring additional overhead and labor costs when designing or developing new products, which can, and often does, lead to increased time before the product is manufactured. While these companies and institutions have found ways of overcoming these issues one in particular has acquired a software solution that, for lack of a better word, serves as a behind the scenes manager of sorts. The software in question is known as the aPriori Product Cost Management platform and was recently adopted by Penn State’s Applied Research Lab for their DDM (Direct Digital Manufacturing) technology solution for DARPA’s AVM (Adaptive Vehicle Make) initiative.

 

The software provides a precise real-time cost analysis for product models based on CAD design, materials, manpower and even factors in the facility where the product is to be created. The software also includes ‘predictive modeling’ which factors in cost before the product is even sent to be manufactured. It’s able to calculate this by using various factors such as the CAD design (refactors the cost when changes are made in real-time), material specifications (taken from the CAD design material specification as well as the amount of material needed), the manufacturing plan (looks for the cheapest way to manufacture the product based on the facility used) and outsourcing (looks at what facilities are the cheapest for manufacturing as well as material suppliers).

 

The Applied Research Lab chose this software in an effort to provide DARPA with the most cost-effective and timely solution for the AVM project, which is centered on the next generation weapons systems for future military vehicles. DARPA’s AVM initiative focuses on three specific areas to achieve these next-gen systems and includes META (AVM design tools for model-based design systems/cyber-physical systems), Instant Foundry Adaptive through Bits (iFAB- foundry-style manufacturing capability) and Fast Adaptable Next-Generation Ground Vehicle (FANG) programs and weapons systems. DARPA has always relied on efficiency as a cost-effective way to develop future technologies, and the aPriori software platform will certainly help their partners at Penn State do just that.

 

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  • I like it.

     

    One of my big pet peves has been people who approach all problems from a purely new or imperical aspect.  Using apriori information provides a huge improvement in your ability to predict and detect events before they become a critical issue.

     

    The syndrom comes out of the "Not Invented Here" mentality that prevades a lot of people.  Some people just want the challenge of demonstrating a new way to do things, while others just do not want to admit that the solution already exists.

     

    Human egos are such an impediment to progress.

     

    Just my opinion,

    DAB

  • in reply to DAB

    Younger companies not following this type of practice, I think, has a lot to do with the fact that the software provides boring information. Those details, like manpower or material used, is not about the project's purpose, to be new and innovative.

    I feel the same way about a lot of projects. I would rather leave these types of details to the business side of engineering. Perhaps, that is my downfall.

     

    C

Comment
  • in reply to DAB

    Younger companies not following this type of practice, I think, has a lot to do with the fact that the software provides boring information. Those details, like manpower or material used, is not about the project's purpose, to be new and innovative.

    I feel the same way about a lot of projects. I would rather leave these types of details to the business side of engineering. Perhaps, that is my downfall.

     

    C

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