Researchers at the Indiana Next Generation Manufacturing Competitiveness Center (IN-MaC) at Purdue University have developed software that enables manufacturers to improve cost predictions surrounding manufacturing processes and the development of new products.

The software tool offers predictive cost modeling that better outlines the total cost associated with manufacturing a product under different conditions and scenarios, reflecting the impact of modifications to those processes on manufacturing costs.Researchers at IN-MaC developed software to help manufacturers better predict overall costs and the costs associated with layout alternatives and adjustments to their manufacturing processes. Source: Purdue University

The software features a drag and drop palette of manufacturing steps, enabling users to alter production lines using different configurations or scenarios, including different robots, equipment and workers, for instance. Such changes reveal to the user each selection's impact on the final cost of product development.

To further develop the tool, researchers are connecting the tool to data sensors on manufacturing equipment. The team is also attempting to devise a way to incorporate machine learning and deep learning into the technology, and intends to develop a web version of the software tool.