Cost estimation of joints preparation for GMAW welding process using feature model

The cost estimation is important in structural design. Thus recent advances achieved in technology such as integrated engineering, provide a new concept in the cost estimation starting from the design phase. In this paper we propose a method, based on the feature model, to estimate the manufacturing cost of welding joints. The approach uses the manufacturing knowledge in the design phase of a welded structure. It helps to provide the best economical choice of different design alternatives of a product. Two types of information have been structured in this work: information of economical type defining the relationship between parameters of the feature and manufacturing cost; technical information relating to the manufacturing process of the preparation feature. In the first step, we present the preparation feature, which will consist of the welding achievement, considering the type of assembly, feature geometry and parameters of welding process. The focus is only on butt-welded assembly using a gas metal arc welding process (GMAW) in which the choice of preparation feature is made only according to thickness, electric current intensity and electrode diameter. Then, we will set in details the generating method of the manufacturing process for different preparation features. Finally, we propose a calculation model for manufacturing cost to prepare the welding joint. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.