From mechatronics to self-optimizing concepts and structures in mechanical engineering: new approaches to design methodology

Abstract

The products of mechanical engineering and related sectors will be based increasingly on a close interaction of mechanics, electronics, control engineering and software engineering. Furthermore, these products will demonstrate inherent partial intelligence, which will allow them to adjust independently to changing environmental conditions. This is referred to as self-optimization. It is evident that the development of such products demands new ways and means of communication and cooperation between the experts involved from the relevant disciplines.

 This article addresses mechatronic and self-optimizing products and explains how such products can be developed in an integrative way. The integration of the four mentioned specialized disciplines is crucial for successful product development. The development process for mechatronic and self-optimizing products takes place in a virtual three-dimensional space for designing.

 Owing to the high complexity of self-optimizing products and their development process, a sophisticated development environment supporting the design process needs to be provided. This environment supports the product design process by offering an explorative way of designing, i.e. it is possible for the developer to create the principle solution and to test its behaviour in a virtual environment.

 Examples are chosen from the area of vehicle technology because information technology has a fundamental impact on it. In a next step, the scope will be extended towards smart units in the context of manufacturing systems.

Keywords:

• Mechatronics
• Self-optimization
• Design methodology
• Virtual reality development environment