A products integrated & collaborative design methodology based on virtual product prototypes

In this paper, a Product Integrated & Collaborative Design Methodology Based on Virtual Product Prototypes (PICD) is explored. In PICD, A Product Master Model (PMM) is used as a product shared information database, which is also integrated product information model of a Virtual Product Prototype (VPP). A VPP is used to view the product during design process before creation of any physical prototype, to detect the product's performance by simulating the product's working process and interactive using process. All the engineers related to developing this product do collaborative jobs by working on the VPP and PMM. By supporting of VPP and PMM, the product development cycle will considerably be shortened, the product quality and performance will also be ensured effectively. Finally, some application examples are given.