An Integrated Description for Intelligent Processing of Closely Related Engineering Objects

Integrated engineering systems are composed by modeling (CAD/CAM) and product data management (PDM) software. They offer communicative framework for engineering activities. However, integrated engineering systems have inherently restricted capabilities in organizing different engineering processes in projects at development and application of products. The authors are active in development of ideas, concepts, and methods to solve this problem. They proposed integrated model object (IMO) to enhance engineering processes in case of high number of interrelated activities and objects. IMO can be implemented in industrial engineering software systems as application development component. In this paper, the authors first give an outline of their approach to product lifetime management regarding integration-related purposes, development, content, and structure of an IMO. Following this, development of description of modeled objects is characterized by connections of IMO with CAD/CAM systems, essential IMO functions, and the IMO ware. Next, elements of IMO for analysis and multilevel information structure are detailed. Finally, essential IMO processes are detailed for decision on changes and management of change chains.