The research approach presented in the paper targets the integration of some advanced engineering principles, methods and instruments for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of Product Design activities. In order to reduce the product development resources consumption, to improve the product functionality, reliability and flexibility and to reduce the product lifecycle environmental impact, all of these being considered as instruments for improving Product Sustainability, some conceptual models for integrating advanced Product Design theories and principles such as Holistic Design and Axiomatic Design, together with the use of some advanced CAD/CAE tools are discussed in the paper. As case study, the paper submits to discussion the problem of enhancing the design activities for the development of a technical solution of a device adaptable on an electrical discharge machine-tool and being able to generate cycloid profiles based on a double-planetary mechanism driving. The research approach on integrating the principles of axiomatic design within activities of the design model structuring, the decomposition rules have been mainly targeted to be applied. The presented case study refers also to the performance of using advanced capabilities of Solid Edge as CAD solution which provides dynamic generation of the product model structure and to those of its embedded module entitled Engineering Reference, as valuable CAE instrument. Some adequate conclusions are finally presented and some directions of further research development are identified, such as integrating also an economic efficiency analysis and a Life Cycle Impact Assessment approach as Concurrent Engineering activities, to enhance the new product development sustainability.
Drivers of usability in product design practice: Induction of a framework through a case study of three product development projects
