Chapter 11: Collaborative Product Development 2: Digital Design

Title: Crossing the innovation chasm with new concepts of DMU in PLM

Author(s): Michael Bitzer, Martin Eigner, Torsten Gilz

Address: Institute for Virtual Product Development, University of Kaiserslautern, Gottlieb-Daimler-StraBe 44, Germany | Institute for Virtual Product Development, University of Kaiserslautern, Gottlieb-Daimler-StraBe 44, Germany | Institute for Virtual Product Development, University of Kaiserslautern, Gottlieb-Daimler-StraBe 44, Germany

Reference: International Conference on Product Lifecycle Management 2009 pp. 517 - 526

Abstract/Summary: In industries, techniques of digital mock-up (DMU) are commonly not well established in early phases of the product development process. Traditionally, these techniques only focus on geometrical data. Nowadays, several approaches of DMU also take product functions into consideration, but not spanning multiple domains. In this paper, different existing techniques of DMU are analyzed and discussed. Feasible potentials are determined and discussed against the background of possible areas of future research. Especially two directions of integrating DMU are investigated. First, new techniques for DMU along the product development process, with focusing on frontloading. Second, the integration of DMU functionalities in more strategic process levels for supporting innovation processes. This will not only bring benefits in terms of time-saving, but also support creativity. The whole discussion is based on the idea of integrating DMU as one main functionality of next generation PLM solutions. By analyzing new concepts for DMU, the virtual product development process will be expanded into the early phases of the product lifecycle and will enable companies to support their management of innovations.

Order a copy of this article