Automatic Synchronization of Mechanical CAD Models and a SysML-based Mechatronic Model using AutomationML

Due to the increasing integration of different disciplines, Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is becoming more beneficial for the development of mechatronic systems. However, even though all relevant discipline-specific models can be integrated into one system model, how to maintain consistency between a discipline-specific model and the central system model during model updates still needs to be considered. In this paper, an approach for automatic synchronization of a discipline-specific model i.e. mechanical CAD model and the central SysML-based model i.e. a SysML4 Mechatronics plant model, is introduced. AutomationML(AML), a data exchange format which enables a lossless exchange of information between different discipline-specific engineering tools, is applied during the model synchronization. Mapping rules are proposed to facilitate a consistent round-trip engineering and transformation. Feasibility and applicability of this approach are demonstrated through a use case on a production plant with two applied commercial tools, PTC Integrity Modeler and Creo Parametric.