This translation has been developed from the fifth edition (2005) of the
Authors' German text, "Kostengünstig Entwickeln und Konstruieren". The
discussion on the methods of cost reduction and cost-driven design draw
heavily on the "S- tematic Method of Design", the development of which
is described in German language literature of the past several decades.
An English language edition 1 [Pah05] of a classic text is available.
In this approach, the design process is - vided into the phases of task
clarification, concept development, preliminary - sign (embodiment) and
the detailed layout. Design forms the core of the co- dinated process of
modern product development, known under the rubric of Concurrent
Engineering. This book stresses the collaboration of the different -
partments in a company, which is essential for the development of
reliable and low-cost products. The first edition was a best seller for
a number of years. Eventually, as the fields developed, a second edition
came out in 1998. The development of methods (a major portion of that
from the research in the authors' Institute, ) as well as the demand for
the book, led to the third, fourth and fifth editions appearing in quick
succession. It was the first book that, with a scientific approach,
showed the c- nection between design, production processes and the
product costs. This provided the basis for cost-driven product design.
The overriding goal in preparing this translation was to convey the
ideas of the authors as closely as possible.
