A service platform of networked manufacturing for rapid product development

Companies that want to compete in the global marketplace must constantly seek ways to develop their products in an increasingly faster, more cost-effective manner. In order to satisfy the requirements, the use and development of advanced manufacturing technologies are especially critical. This paper proposes a novel integrated system of rapid product development that includes the digital prototype, virtual prototype, physical prototype and rapid tooling manufacturing system, and developments a service platform of networked manufacturing which offers better support for the rapid product development of small and medium sized enterprises by taking full advantage of the quickly evolving computer network and information technologies. The platform provides a production collaborative environment for users and service bureaus, implements the share of manufacturing resource. It has been shown from a number of case studies that the system has a high potential to speed up the new produce development. As a result, the implementation of such a system will represent a fundamental shift of enterprise strategy and manufacturing paradigms in organization.