Abstract:
The research establishes a methodology for developing Web-based CAD/CAM software
systems to industrial quality standards in a time and cost e ective manner. The methodology
de nes the scope of applicability, outlines major considerations and key principles
to follow when developing this kind of software, describes an approach to requirements
elicitation, resource allocation and collaboration, establishes strategies for overcoming
uncertainty and describes the design concerns for industrial Web-based CAD/CAM systems.
The crucial parts of the methodology are a novel project development model
facilitating architecture optimisation early in the project to minimise total development
e orts, create future-proof solutions and ensure system maintainability; and a novel approach
for planning based on time reserve management and task prioritisation, which
provides the exibility required for exploratory development while maintaining the main
focus on project objectives.
The e ectiveness of the Web-based CAD/CAM software development methodology
has been examined using two real software development case studies: a Web-based
CAD/CAM system for involute spur gear shaper cutters and a Web-based CNC code
editor for online modi cation of the pro le for manufacturing gear shaper cutters. The
development of case studies using the established methodology resulted in on-time delivery
of two industrial browser-based CAD/CAM systems, that produce valid results,
embrace all business processes associated with the application area, ensure all functional
and non-functional requirements and are used in production now. The developed software
products demonstrate robustness, performance, reliability, security and usability comparable
with the standards of modern commercial software, utilise advantages of Web-based
applications to the highest extent and con rm advantages of Web-based CAD/CAM software
compared to similar desktop applications. E ectiveness of the proposed methodology
for Web-based CAD/CAM software development was checked through validation,
evaluation and analysis of case study results.
