Integration methodology for product and development process based on product data management

Process models for integrated product and process development (IPPD) were constructed to represent the functional, behavioral, organizational and informational perspectives of the product development processes. The standard for the exchange of product model data (STEP) was used to develop the relationships between products and the development process. A mechanism to integrate the product with the development process was presented using the object oriented approach. An engineering framework system to support IPPD was then developed which includes a product data management (PDM) level, a development tool level and a process management level. The PDM level supplies an integrated information environment. The development tool level includes many stand alone software tools for product development encapsulated in the PDM system. The process management level simulates and controls the product development process according to the process models. The product and the development process are successfully integrated in the engineering framework system.