Automation of the computer-aided design–computer-aided quality assurance process chain in car body engineering

Abstract

The development and production of technical products take place under hard competitive conditions. Minimization of development time, an increase in product quality and reduction of manufacturing costs are crucial factors for success in the automotive industry. To meet these requirements, current trends in car body development and production such as parametric-associative modelling and knowledge integration offer particularly high potentials. And it is feature technology that plays a key role as a structuring method and integration component. DaimlerChrysler AG has implemented a concept based on intelligent features that provides procedures to assist engineers in designing components and assemblies that are to be inspected, thus supplying the foundation necessary to automate the inspection process that otherwise would have to be done manually. This paper discusses the requirements, solution principles and realization perspectives of a revised information technology that can support design and inspection process planning activities and improve change management.