Integrated environment-adaptive virtual model objects for product modeling

In this paper, the authors discuss their recent contribution to the methodology of active product modeling and propose integrated model objects for engineering activities in mechanical systems. The purpose of the proposed model objects is to react to changes in the inside and the related modeled world by analysis of behaviors and behavior driven generation of adaptivity features for modification of model entities inside and outside the object. They are composed of elementary, structural, relationship, behavior, knowledge and adaptivity features. The proposed model objects are inherently highly integrated. An overview of product modeling introduces the authors´ approach to modeling by using the proposed model objects. Following this, the architecture of integrated, environment adaptive model objects is detailed. Then activities of integrated objects are placed on four levels of the model. Finally, integration and implementation issues are discussed.