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An Introduction to Concurrent Product Development

A Workshop presented by the National CAD/CAM/CAE Training Centre, 23 to 26 July 2001

BACKGROUND

As South Africa increasingly establishes itself in the global village, the imperative of improved competitiveness of the local Manufacturing Industry to ensure sustainable growth, is rapidly becoming more prominent. This implies a need for continuous upgrading of the industry’s understanding of and capacity to apply the latest approaches, methodologies and technologies for developing and producing new products. A crucial success factor in this regard is in-depth understanding of Concurrent Engineering and its application in the South African environment to reduce and control time-to-market, limit development cost and improve customer satisfaction during product development.

The National CAD/CAM/CAE Training Centre at CSIR in Pretoria is a national initiative supported by the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, which provides focused training on product development processes and methodologies, as well as the technologies locally available to improve efficiency.

OBJECTIVES

The Workshop is aimed at empowering South African designers and product developers to increase their global competitiveness in a rapidly changing marketplace. Through an interactive, hands-on approach, including a carefully selected case study, the application of Concurrent Engineering to accelerate New Product Development is demonstrated. The participants leave the workshop at the end of four days with a clear understanding of the importance and practical implications of Concurrent Product Development, the methodologies and technologies available, and with guidelines to assist them in applying this knowledge in their own environments.

The workshop is also intended to sensitise the participants to the importance of design (indigenous/cultural, industrial and engineering) in creating a South African branding for new products, which could distinguish these in the international arena.

A third objective is to emphasize and demonstrate the advantages of collaboration in-house, as well as among organizations.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Engineers and technicians with a few years experience of design & product development
Designers who have had exposure to or have practised CAD
Post-graduate students or staff of tertiary education institutions, specialising in this field
Project managers and technical managers who want a better understanding of the role of Concurrent Engineering methodologies and technologies in accelerating New Product Development

WORKSHOP FORMAT AND CONTENT

The Workshop consists of both formal presentations and hands-on interactions in a team environment. Initially, the participants are introduced to the principles of Concurrent Product Development and the tools used by experts in the field. The topics addressed are

Introduction to Concurrent Engineering in Product Development
Understanding and capturing your customer’s needs through Quality Function Deployment
The modern approach to New Product Development
Concept and Engineering Design in the Time Compression paradigm
Establishing a South African branding through Industrial Design
Implementing Design for Manufacture and Assembly
The role of Rapid Prototyping and Rapid Tooling
Materials Selection for Design made easy
How Reverse Engineering can accelerate CAD
Product optimisation through Finite Element Modelling
Process Modelling as powerful aid in verifying and optimising production processes
Supporting the practice of Concurrent Product Development.
The presentations are followed by hands-on exposure through participation in the application of Concurrent Product Development methodologies and technologies in a case study under the guidance of a team of experienced practitioners.

WORKSHOP PRESENTERS

The Workshop is presented by an experienced team from CSIR, universities, technikons and industry:

Dr Willie du Preez, Manager: National CAD/CAM/CAE Training Centre, CSIR (Workshop Leader)
Prof Johan Markgraaff, School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Potchefstroom University
Mr Deon de Beer, Director: Science Park, Technikon Free State
Mr Bruno Schostar, Engineering Design, National Product Development Centre, CSIR
Mr Chris Bradnum, Industrial Design Programme, Technikon Witwatersrand
Mr Jeff Benson, Metals Technology, National Product Development Centre, CSIR
Mr Charles Anderson, Manager: Consulting: Automated Reasoning
Mr Neels Babst, National CAD/CAM/CAE Training Centre, CSIR
Mr Andries Visser, Engineering Design, National Product Development Centre, CSIR
Mr Pierre Rossouw, Foundry Manager, National Product Development Centre, CSIR
WHEN AND WHERE?

The Workshop will be held from 23 to 26 July 2001, daily from 8:00 to 16:30.

It will be presented in the facilities of the National CAD/CAM/CAE Training Centre in Building 19B, CSIR, Meiring Naudé Road, Brummeria, Pretoria (map to CSIR at http://www.csir.co.za/images/furniture/map_pretoria.gif)

REGISTRATION

The registration fee for the 4-day Workshop is R4 500 (including VAT). This includes teas/coffees, lunches and workshop materials. A 40% discount will apply for students. Kindly complete the registration details below and mail with the registration fee to the address given below. When using fax or e-mail to register, kindly remit payment separately. Cheques must be made payable to CE at UP (Pty) Ltd.

Registration and payment are due before or on 13 July 2001
Cancellations after the payment due date will be subject to a 50% cancellation fee.
Registration address:

CPD Workshop, Attention: Marina Nell, CE at UP (Pty) Ltd, Private Bag X41, Hatfield 0028

Please register as soon as possible, since only 20 participants can be accommodated on the Workshop.

ENQUIRIES

For further enquiries and registration please contact: Marina Nell, Course Co-ordinator, Continuing Education at University of Pretoria (Pty) Ltd Tel: (012) 420 5010 Fax: (012) 362 5285 e-mail: marina.ce@up.ac.za or, for technical content: Dr Willie du Preez, Business Area Manager: National CAD/CAM/CAE Training Centre, Building 19B, CSIR, Pretoria Tel: (012) 841 4955 Fax: (012) 841 3378 e-mail: wdupreez@csir.co.za