Systems and methods for designing and manufacturing engineered objects

Abstract

A method of generating an engineered object is performed using the following steps. A request for proposal defining the engineered object is received. Components of the engineered object are defined. A cost estimate is generated based on at least one of the request for proposal, the components, and engineering rules and knowledge. An engineered product layout is generated based on at least one of the request for proposal and the engineering rules and knowledge. A proposal is generated based on the cost estimate and the engineered product layout. An order is generated based on the proposal. An object design is generated based on the proposal and the order. The engineered object is generated based on the object design.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of generating an engineered object comprising:
 receiving a request for proposal defining the engineered object;   defining components of the engineered object;   generating a cost estimate based on at least one of the request for proposal, the components, and engineering rules and knowledge;   generating an engineered product layout based on at least one of the request for proposal and the engineering rules and knowledge;   generating a proposal based on the cost estimate and the engineered product layout;   generating an order based on the proposal;   generating an object design based on the proposal and the order; and   generating the engineered object based on the object design.   
     
     
         2 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of predefining properties of the engineered object based on the request for proposal. 
     
     
         3 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , in which the engineered object layout is further generated based on the predetermined properties of the engineered object. 
     
     
         4 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , in which step of generating the object design further comprises the step of generating an object model defining the engineered object. 
     
     
         5 . A method as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising the steps of:
 generating an image based on the object model; and   performing an engineering review of the object design based on the image.   
     
     
         6 . A method as recited in  claim 5 , in which:
 the step of generating the object model comprises the step of generating a three-dimensional computer model representing the engineered object; and   the step of generating the image comprises the step of generating a two-dimensional representation of the three-dimensional computer model.   
     
     
         7 . A method of producing an engineered object, comprising the steps of:
 generating cost estimates at least in part based on a request for proposal defining the engineered object and engineering rules and knowledge;   generating layout drawings at least in part based on the request for proposal and engineering rules and knowledge;   generating object designs at least in part based on the request for proposal, engineering rules and knowledge, and an engineering review;   accepting a request for proposal defining the engineered object;   entering the request for proposal to generate a cost estimate;   entering the request for proposal to generate a layout drawing;   generating a proposal based on the cost estimate and the layout drawing;   receiving an order based on the proposal;   based on the order and the proposal, generating an assembly specification, a detail specification, and machine control files for the object design; and   producing the engineered object based on the assembly specification, the detail specification, and the machine control files.   
     
     
         8 . A system as recited in  claim 7 , in which the step of generating the object design comprises the step of generating an object model defining the engineered object. 
     
     
         9 . A system as recited in  claim 8 , in which:
 the step of generating the object model comprises the step of generating a three-dimensional computer model representing the engineered object; and   the step of generating the image comprises the step of generating a two-dimensional representation of the three-dimensional computer model.   
     
     
         10 . A method of producing a bulk material handling system comprising the steps of:
 generating cost estimates for bulk material handling systems based on requests for proposal;   generating layout drawings; and   generating object designs at least in part based on at least one of parameters associated with components of bulk material handling systems, engineering rules and knowledge related to bulk material handling systems, and an engineering review;   accepting a request for proposal defining a bulk material handling system design;   generating a cost estimate based on the request for proposal;   generating a layout drawing based on the request for proposal;   generating a proposal based on the cost estimate and the layout drawing;   receiving an order based on the proposal;   based on the order and the proposal, generating an assembly specification, a detail specification, and machine control files for the bulk material handling system design; and   producing the bulk material handling system based on the assembly specification, the detail specification, and the machine control files.   
     
     
         11 . A method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising the step of defining predetermined properties of the bulk material handling system, where the step of generating the cost estimate further comprises the step of generating the cost estimate further based on the predetermined properties of the bulk material handling system. 
     
     
         12 . A method as recited in  claim 11 , in which the step of generating the layout drawing comprises the step of generating the layout drawing based on the predetermined properties of the bulk material handling system. 
     
     
         13 . A method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising the step of defining specifications of the bulk material handling system. 
     
     
         14 . A method as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of defining predetermined properties of the bulk material handling system. 
     
     
         15 . A method as recited in  claim 10 , in which the step of generating the object design comprises the step of performing an engineering review of a preliminary object design.