Abstract: A spatially-resolved spectrometer is used to measure streaking in molded sample plastic parts produced using a molding tool with various mold inserts which produce certain desired topological surface features upon these sample plastic parts. The measurements from one or more of these sample plastic parts are then provided to a computerized device which appropriately filters the data and calculates overall data shape, average peak and valley shift, and a quality number indicative of data slopes. These calculations are then used to determine an optimum set of ingredients and processing conditions to be used for the full-scale plastic part production.

Abstract: Using the molding tool (2), spatially-resolved spectrometer (1) and computerized device (101) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/303,409, streaking problems identified in production are first diagnosed (140), then duplicated on a laboratory scale (142) and compared with the streaking problems observed in production. Next, options are developed and tested for fixing (correcting) the observed problem and testing these on a laboratory scale (144). Finally, the option(s) chosen for correcting the observed problem are validated prior to reinitiating full-scale production (146).

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method for a standardized collaborative engineering. The method includes representing design information in a standard transmission format at a client and uploading the design information in the standard transmission format to a server. The server receives the design information in the standard transmission format and converts the design information in the standard transmission format to design information in a product data management format. The server stores the design information in the product data management format.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment is a system and method for performing engineering design. The system includes a client for receiving first design information from a first source. The system also includes a server coupled to the client via a network. The client uploads the first design information to the server, and the server determines whether the first source has authorization to submit the first design information, notifies a second source of the first design information and transmits the first design information to the second source. The server stores the design information.