Object‐Oriented Approaches for Integrated Engineering Design Systems

Abstract

The development of computer‐integrated design systems requires formal models of engineering design. Object‐oriented approaches promise to have a major impact in this area. Two types of engineering design models that could be implemented using an object‐oriented approach are product models, which describe the physical entities that are designed, and process models, which describe design processes. The main difference between these two models is whether the objects implement physical entities or design activities. A general discussion of models for engineering design is presented, followed by more detailed discussion of both product and process models. Object‐oriented concepts are summarized and object‐oriented implementation of product and process models is reviewed. Each implementation consists of objects that bind data and procedures into a single package. The paper then considers how the object‐oriented approach helps to unify product and process models.