Intelligent Human-Computer Communication of Engineers at Extended Companies

Abstract

During the past decades, prevailing method of engineering changed from manual drawing to computer modeling. By now, capabilities of modeling and analysis in virtual engineering systems give better results and more quickly than expensive physical prototypes. The next step in advancement of engineering is development of modeling systems for utilization of intelligent computing. The authors propose in this paper a methodology for intelligent communication and change management for engineering modeling. They were motivated by increasing of importance of change management because of continuous product development and high number of custom tailored product variants. Configuration and open architecture features of engineering modeling, portal management, and product data management (PDM) systems are available for implementation of the proposed modeling in the form of an extension to complex industrial engineering system. In this paper, the authors first give a general schema of advanced engineering activities and define role and place of the proposed modeling. Following this, modeling by behavior, adaptivity and design intent descriptions are explained as an integrated method to enhance intelligence of shape centered models. Next computer assisted activity of an active engineer, and procedure of change processing at decision on change information are detailed. Finally, flexible and controlled definition of characteristics of modeled engineering objects and behaviors are emphasized and discussed.