Feature model based interface design for development of mechatronic systems

In the field of mechatronics, simultaneous and concurrent engineering is generally encouraged. The products are described by models belonging to different domains, such as mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical. These models interact with each other in a complex way. To analyze and describe the behavior and the interaction pattern of the products subsystems and their components, cooperation and coordination of the involved domains are required, which fit the varying modeling objectives and analysis goals. The mechatronic dynamic models are developed traditionally independently in every involved discipline, all of which provide and expand certain aspects. They were integrated to analyze the complex interactions and dependencies between them. However a common understanding of the objective and the combined artifacts of the different disciplines can not be achieved without considering all involved interfaces (system boundary) between models in different disciplines simultaneously. An approach for an integrated model-based design process, so-called Multifunctional Model Client (MMC), is presented in previous papers. Here, we focus on interface handling along the presented approach, which facilitates the integration of system models and simulation models and reduces the huge effort for building, maintaining, and synchronizing the required interfaces for simulation models. To illustrate this, we use the application example of two cooperating delta robots.