Jayanthi Kumar, Elizabeth Kendall

This paper outlines a new approach to determining the effect of part complexity on the cost of manufacturing a composite part. It also describes a methodology for predicting cost based on complexity that uses the techniques of Method Time Measurement (MTM). The proposed methodology offers a relatively simple method to predict the fabrication time of a complex component. It is based on the theory of acceleration and deceleration for every movement of action; therefore, the developed model has physical interpretations. In addition this paper describes a computer-based system for estimating time/cost to manufacture a complex composite part. The cost model has been implemented in a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) with Access 97. The time estimated for hand lay-up compares very well with the industrial data. This concept of estimating fabrication time for a complex part appears to be applicable to many other composite manufacturing processes.