Chapter 1: Models for Products and Systems Integration

Title: Flexible Integration Model for Virtual Prototype Families

Author(s): Stephan Vornholt, Ingolf Geist

Address: Faculty of Computer Science, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany | Faculty of Computer Science, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany

Reference: International Conference on Product Lifecycle Management 2008 pp. 67 - 76

Abstract/Summary: For many years computer-based concurrent engineering of products, denoted as Virtual Engineering (VE), has been developed to meet requirements in product development. Current research in concurrent engineering deals with the integration and synchronization of domain-specific (CAD design, simulation analysis) data and tools. This paper focuses on a flexible, multidimensional data model that integrates information and models from different engineering domains. The data model describes all information about a Virtual Product (VP) as Virtual Prototype Family. Operations for VP-family creation, management, and extension are defined. The proposed data model and manipulation operations allow a flexible connection and synchronization of domain specific tools within the design process as well as consistency control during the complete VE process. The data model is planned to be used in a VE system as the foundation of a metadata repository storing model information during the engineering process.

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