An integrated modelling environment for the computer-based embodiment of engineering systems with standard components

In today's competitive global manufacturing industries, standard components play an important role in the commercial success of any product or machine system. The consideration of standard components during the early stages of the new product introduction process is therefore particularly important. However, the ability of the designer to explore different configurations and combinations of standard components is severely frustrated by the analytically intensive and time-consuming aspects of not only embodying a concept but also dealing with standard components and their associated mechanisms for design and selection. This paper presents the application of an integrated modelling environment for the computer-based embodiment of a machine system. The role of such an approach in the design process is discussed and the elements of the modelling environment are summarized. The processes of constructing and embodying a machine system are described and an industrial case study is presented. This case study is used to demonstrate the capabilities and potential of the new approach for supporting the embodiment and evaluation of alternative system configurations.