Computer-aided Parametric Design and Manufacture of Hand Tools

The hand tool manufacturing industry is comprised mainly of small firms which while achieving low cost quality and versatility of product designs, have very high levels of human involvement in the design and manufacture activity. In contrast to large companies which have access to modern computer technology and technically capable personnel, the smaller hand tool firms are constrained by financial and technical capabilities. The possibility of using computer-aided engineering to shorten leadtimes and to rapidly introduce new product designs is significant but limited by the ability of small companies to invest in expensive computer hardware and highly trained personnel. This paper concerns the use of existing software on minicomputers to establish a parametric design facility for hand tools which links with the automated manufacture of die-cutting tools. It is shown how this has been achieved by the appropriate modification of commercial packages to yield a computer-based system which can be used by personnel with modest technical background.