A technique for projecting the product model throughout the organisation via commercially available, feature-based CAD systems

Concurrent engineering has now established itself as a credible methodology for assisting organisations streamline their product development processes. Concurrent engineering, in terms of teamworking, unity, trust, value and knowledge sharing can only result from consistent, accurate product data being made available to all seminal functions. Technical integration, in terms of consistent product data, can result in true goal integration, which, in turn, can assist organisations in their quest for competitive advantage through innovative products. Concurrent engineering may only be realised through technological exploitation of commercially available, feature-based CAD systems and associated application programming interfaces. This integration technique can be utilised to form the basis of an agent-based, computer integrated concurrent engineering system.