Add-ons: something that has been or can be added to an existing object or arrangement.

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Analytics: the systematic computational analysis of data or statistics.

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Artificial Intelligence: (AI) the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages.

 

Casting: an object made by pouring molten metal or other material into a mold.

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Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD):  is a branch of fluid mechanics that uses numerical analysis and data structures to analyze and solve problems that involve fluid flows. Computers are used to perform the calculations required to simulate the free-stream flow of the fluid, and the interaction of the fluid (liquids and gases) with surfaces defined by boundary conditions.

 

Cobotics: robots that work alongside people to assist them with their jobs. 

 

Conceptualized Design: The design that is proposed in this report with the client’s design preferences built in. 

 

Data Science: is a multi-disciplinary field that uses scientific methods, processes, algorithms and systems to extract knowledge and insights from structured and unstructured data.

 

Design for manufacturing analysis (DFMA): Is when an engineer studies your design with “how to manufacture it” in mind.  This analysis will include feasible points, obstacles to manufacturing, estimated cost, method of manufacturing, and more.

 

Design Specifications: key design features, components, or design aspects that are needed to fulfill a client's quality objectives.

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Enclosure: A body or bodies that enclose around a design providing a protective barrier. 

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Fabrication Blueprints: Blueprints for manufacturing your design.  They are usually two dimensional with dimensions and other fabrication information.  

 

Final Product Design: This is the final design that is derived from the use of prototyping. 

 

Finite Element Analysis (FEA): The finite element method, is a numerical method for solving problems of engineering and mathematical physics. Typical problem areas of interest include structural analysis, heat transfer, fluid flow, mass transport, and electromagnetic potential. 

 

Generative Design (GD): Generative design is an iterative design process that involves a program that will generate a certain number of outputs that meet certain constraints, and a designer that will fine tune the feasible region by changing minimal and maximal values of an interval in which a variable of the program meets the set of constraints, in order to reduce or augment the number of outputs to choose from.

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Injection Molding (IM): Is the process in which molten plastic is injected into a mold for the creation of a part or assembly. 

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Infill: the amount and style of material placed on the interior of a 3D print for strength, durability, density, and volume. 

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Institute for Supply Management (ISM) index number: Is a monthly composite index, released by the Institute for Supply Management, that is based on surveys of 300 purchasing managers throughout the United States in 20 industries in the manufacturing area.

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Interference: Volumes of overlapping material between bodies or components.

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Lead time: The amount of time it takes to make a part, batch of parts, or complete an entire order of parts without shipping time factored in. 

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Machine Learning: Is the scientific study of algorithms and statistical models that computer systems use to perform a specific task without using explicit instructions, relying on patterns and inference instead. It is seen as a subset of artificial intelligence.

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Machining: Make or operate on with a machine.

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Mass Manufacturing: The production of 1000 parts or more. 

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Modular Design: is a design practice that subdivides a system into smaller parts, which can be independently developed, modified, replaced, improved or exchanged between different systems or parts.

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Photorealistic Render: A simulated computer image of a 3D drawing that is equivalent to a real photograph. 

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Purchasing Managers' Indexes (PMI): Are economic indicators derived from monthly surveys of private sector companies.

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PCB (Printed Circuit Board): Mechanically supports and electrically connects electrical or electronic components using conductive tracks, pads and other features etched from one or more sheet layers of copper laminated onto and/or between sheet layers of a non-conductive substrate.

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Post-processing:  Post-processing is the final stage of most manufacturing operations. This stage is where parts receive finishing touches such as smoothing, painting, painting, and tolerancing adjustments.

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PP: Polypropylene plastic (food safe plastic). 

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Preassembled: Assembled beforehand, especially at a manufacturing plant.

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Proof of Concept Prototype: Is a small exercise to test the design idea or assumption. The main purpose of developing a POC is to demonstrate the functionality and to verify a certain concept or theory that can be achieved in development.

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Prototype: A first, typical or preliminary model of something, especially a machine, from which other forms are developed or copied.  A prototype is typically not the final product. 

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Proxy: a figure that can be used to represent the value of something in a calculation.

 

Raspberry Pi (RPI): Is a PCB that can be used for rapid and affordable prototyping.

 

Small Batch Manufacturing: manufacturing that deals with fabricating quantities less 1000 parts. 

 

Total indicator runout (TIR): This is the total amount of runout allowed on a machining operation as determined by an accurate indicator test. 

 

Tolerancing: An allowable amount of variation of a specified quantity, especially in the dimensions of a machine or part.  It’s a term also used to describe the process where model features are altered due to heating or tool imprecision. 

 

Topology Optimization: A term describing making a design for geometrically efficient for strength, durability, and reduced costs.  

 

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU): Is any of a class of polyurethane plastics with many properties, including elasticity, transparency, and resistance to oil, grease and abrasion. Technically, they are thermoplastic elastomers consisting of linear segmented block copolymers composed of hard and soft segments.

 

United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO): The United States Patent and Trademark Office is an agency in the U.S. Department of Commerce that issues patents to inventors and businesses for their inventions, and trademark registration for product and intellectual property identification.

 

Virtual Prototype: another name for a 3D model in CAD. 

 

Virtual Prototyping: A proprietary design process used at ISS for creating three dimensional models in a computer aided drafting program. 

 

Virtual Testing: Using a computer to test and study a 3D CAD model.