摘要：This paper presents a part count tool that predicts the part count for a particular product concept during the conceptual design phase. The part count tool will also aid in ranking the design concepts b. the criterion of numb.r of components for a product. This tool utilizes existing automated concept generation algorithms to generate the design concepts. It extracts the availab.e data from the Design Engineering Lab.Design Repository to determine an average numb.r of parts per component type in the repository and then calculates an average part count for new concepts. The part count tool also uses an algorithm to determine how to connect two non-compatib.e components through the addition of mutually compatib.e components. While emphasis is placed on the average parts per product in evaluating designs, the overall functional requirement of the product is also considered.