Design Prepation - by means of a Design Handbook

This paper describes an internet based design handbook, which when applied in design will contribute to a higher degree of design preparation in design and product development. In the design handbook data have been structured in three main classes: product, production system and so-called "meetings" between the product and the life phase systems, i.e. the systems which gradually realise the product life, e.g. a production, transport, service and sales system. In co-operation with a Danish company and a sub supplier a prototype internet based design handbook has been developed. Experiences from preliminary application are positive and indicate that it will be profitable for the company to develop a full scale application of a design handbook.