A generative approach for concurrent manufacturability evaluation and subcontractor selection

This paper describes a general approach for performing manufacturability ev aluation and subcontractor selection concurrently. The approach evaluates t he manufacturability of a proposed design with respect to the capabilities of candidate partners and allows a product development team to select those partners that best fit the design's manufacturing requirements. Integratin g manufacturability evaluation and partner selection provides vital design feedback at a point when modifications to improve the fit between the desig n and the partners are less costly and less disruptive. The paper describes the application of this approach to a class of flat mechanical products an d microwave modules.