A framework for product data

IT support for engineering involves the integration of existing, evolving and future product data, and software that processes that data. Thus, there is increasing interest in the representation of product data in the computer to support CAE applications. To avoid duplication and inconsistency, and to support the use of new implementation technology as it emerges, conceptual models of product data are required. Such models are independent of the software and hardware environments in which they are implemented. System architectures to support the integration of applications at implementation time are becoming an accepted part of engineering information systems. To use these software support environments effectively, integrated product data is required. It must also be possible to extend the integrated product data in a controlled fashion if it is to evolve to support future engineering applications effectively. A framework that is a part of the product data at the conceptual modeling stage helps to satisfy these requirements. The framework presented is a structure for the information content of product data rather than for the implementation of such data. Product data based on the framework can be successfully implemented in a number of different database forms. This paper describes a framework for electromechanical product data that has been implemented in a structure editor and is being used to support a range of engineering applications. The process of product data integration can be improved by using existing integration strategies together with a framework that provides an overall organization for the data.