Abstract: A Virtual Design Module (VDM) used in a networked design environment generates manufactured product designs that are near optimal in terms of cost and production cycle time by using design data files containing alternative parts and manufacturers information. Numerous product design alternatives are considered and evaluated in terms of design-manufacturing-parts-supplier feasibility and real-time information on cost and production cycle time for realization. The VDM generates a population of new designs with appropriate board design information to allow for design-manufacturer-supplier decision making and determines the feasibility of each member of the current generation of designs and rejects designs that are not feasible. The VDM triggers Mobile Software Agents (MSA) that obtain data for parts availability, cost, lead time and manufacturer data for manufacturing availability, cost and lead time for each feasible member of the current generation of designs and return the data.

Abstract: A roofing and surfacing material and method for applying such material is disclosed. The surfacing material comprises weather-resistant light-weight polymeric substrate and a membrane of water impermeable pressure-sensitive adhesive material adhered onto a suitable base. In the preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a synthetic polymeric substrate of 0.05 to 0.75 pounds per square foot, a water impermeable pressure-sensitive membrane of epoxy adhesive, and optionally an electrical heating grid embedded in said epoxy membrane.