초록 ▼

The invention relates generally to a comprehensive, integrated computer-based system and method for undertaking an engineering design and development effort in a virtual collaborative environment, identifying qualified fabricators for manufacturing a part design based on fabricator capability inform

The invention relates generally to a comprehensive, integrated computer-based system and method for undertaking an engineering design and development effort in a virtual collaborative environment, identifying qualified fabricators for manufacturing a part design based on fabricator capability information stored in a global registry database substantially maintained by the fabricators themselves, and conducting a virtual bidding process whereby electronic representations of three dimensional model and specification data are provided by a central server. The central server further supports the bidding process by providing quasi-real time audio, video and graphics, and the contracts negotiation and formalization steps.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A server-based system for a fabricator evaluating detailed instructions contained within a request for a proposal to view a design model, comprising:a memory for storing the design model provided by a designer seeking a proposal for manufacturing an item represented by the design model, the memor

1. A server-based system for a fabricator evaluating detailed instructions contained within a request for a proposal to view a design model, comprising:a memory for storing the design model provided by a designer seeking a proposal for manufacturing an item represented by the design model, the memory resident at a first location, the designer resident at a second location and the fabricator resident at a third location, where the first location is separate from both the second and third locations; and a server system for enabling a fabricator connected over a network to access the design model; the server system having a software component for presenting the design model to the fabricator through the network; and where the software component is resident at the server system and accessible by the designer at the second location and the fabricator at the third location, and wherein the software component includes a substantially platform independent client side application to be run on the system of the fabricator, where the application permits the manipulation of the design model. 2. The server-based system of claim 1, wherein the manipulation comprises one or more of rotation, translation, two-dimensional cutting and a fly-through.3. The server-based system of claim 1, wherein the design model comprises a plurality of three-dimensional graphical features which are linked by the server system with at least one of specifications, regulations and standards associated with each of the plurality of features.4. The server-based system of claim 3, wherein the software component further provides for the fabricator to select a specific three-dimensional graphical feature in order to view the at least one associated specification, regulations and standard associated with the selected feature.5. The server-based system of claim 1, wherein the said server system is further adapted to permit the designer to review the accuracy of detailed instructions contained within said request for a proposal.6. The server based system of claim 1, wherein said software component further enables the fabricator and the designer to engage in a communications session that is substantially real-time.7. The server based system of claim 6, wherein the communications session comprises one or more of audio and video.8. The server based system of claim 6, wherein the communications session comprises the simultaneous presentation of the design model to the fabricator and the designer.9. The server-based system of claim 8, wherein the simultaneous presentation includes the manipulation of the part design model.10. The server-based system of claim 4, wherein the at least one associated specifications, regulations and standards reside in the server memory and are sent over the network connection to the client-side on demand.11. The server-based system of claim 5, wherein the design model comprises a plurality of three-dimensional graphical features which are linked by the server system with at least one specification, regulation and standard associated with each feature.12. The server-based system of claim 1, wherein said software component further provides for the fabricator to select a specific three-dimensional graphical feature in order to view the at least one associated specification, regulation and standard.13. The server-based system of claim 12, wherein the at least one associated specification, regulation and standard reside in the server memory and are sent over the network connection to the client-side application on demand.14. A server-based system for a fabricator evaluating detailed instructions to view a design model, comprising:a memory for storing the design model provided by a designer where an item is represented by the design model, wherein the design model comprises at least one three-dimensional graphical depiction having a plurality of features which are linked by the server system with at least one specification, regulation, and standard associated with each of the plurality of features; and a server system for enabling a fabricator connected over a network to access the part design model; said server system having a software component for presenting the part design model to the fabricator through the network using a graphical user interface, wherein said software component further provides for the fabricator to select a specific feature of the three-dimensional graphical depiction in order to view the specification, regulation, and standard associated with the selected feature. 15. The server-based system of claim 14, wherein the software component further permits the manipulation of the design model.16. The server-based system of claim 15, wherein the manipulation comprises one or more of rotation, translation, two-dimensional cutting and a fly-through.17. The server-based system of claim 14, wherein the server system is further adapted to permit the designer to review the accuracy of detailed instructions contained within the request for a proposal.18. The server-based system of claim 14, wherein the proposal includes at least a portion of the design model.19. The server-based system of claim 14, wherein the design model is stored in the memory at a time before submission of said proposal.20. The server-based system of claim 14, wherein the software component further enables the fabricator and the designer to engage in a communications session that is substantially real-time.21. The server-based system of claim 20, wherein the communications session comprises one or more of audio and video.22. The server-based system of claim 20, wherein the communications session comprises the simultaneous presentation of the design model to the fabricator and the designer.23. The server-based system of claim 20, wherein the simultaneous presentation includes the manipulation of the design model.24. A system for obtaining information for a fabricators registry comprising:at least one fabricator module; an application provider module for providing one or more fabricator manager applications to the at least one fabricator module, where the one or more fabricator manager applications assist the at least one fabricator module in managing the fabricator's business, data is input by the at least one fabricator module using the one or more fabricator manager applications, and the data is aggregated into a fabricator registry; and at least one designer module, where at least one portion of the entity providing the fabricator manager application accesses to at least a portion of the received data in the course of providing services to one or more customers. 25. The system according to claim 24, where the one or more fabricator applications comprises a tool inventory application, where the fabricator module uses the tool inventory application to maintain a catalog of standard and custom tools used by the fabricator module.26. The system according to claim 24, where the one or more fabricator applications comprises a machine availability scheduling application, where the fabricator module uses themachine availability scheduling application to maintain a schedule indicating jobs one or more machines are scheduled for and when the one or more machines are available for a new job. 27. The system according to claim 24, where the one or more fabricator applications comprises a machine maintenance scheduling application, where the fabricator module uses the machine maintenance scheduling application to maintain a schedule indicating when one or more machines are scheduled for maintenance and when each of the one or more machines last had maintenance.28. The system according to claim 24, where the one or more fabricator applications comprises an accounting application, where the fabricator module uses the accounting application to maintain billing information, transaction records, and billing records.29. The system according to claim 24, where the one or more fabricator applications comprises a training management application, where the fabricator module uses the training management application to maintain at least one record of the training status of one or more employees.30. The system according to claim 24, where the training status of the one or more employees includes at least one of:a) certifications received by the one or more employees; b) the most recent training of the one or more employees; c) the next scheduled training for the one or more employees; d) the years of experience of the one or more employees; and e) the machines the one or more employees are trained on. 31. The system according to claim 24, where the one or more fabricator applications comprises a certification management application, where the fabricator module uses the certification management application to maintain at least one record of the certification status of the fabricator module, and to track the compliance status of the fabricator for one or more certifications.