No abstract

For the successful launch of a product, the product costs are just as important as product quality and functionality. This paper gives an overview about recent work in the field of cost estimation and process planning and derives the requirements of a cost calculation system for design-concurrent use, because up to now there is no such system that has widespread application within the industry. For this reason the paper presents a concept for design-concurrent cost calculation, using feature-technology and case-based reasoning. This concept overcomes the shortcomings of existing methods and applications and fulfils the targets to be met for a generic cost calculation method.