Modeling and simulation approach for multi-disciplinary virtual prototyping

Virtual prototyping (VP) is a new simulation-based design solution for complex system´s entire life-cycle design based on an integrated product and process development methodology. In order to facility the integrated, collaborative and multi-disciplinary work for integrated product teams, graininess executable system models for the multi-purpose of VP design abstraction need to be developed cost-effectively from the component library. Here, a new hybrid approach is proposed, which apply a top-down design at the conceptual level and a traditional bottom-up design for details respectively. By integrating UML in an up-stream design with the graph theory in down-stream design, both the reconfiguration of systems and reusability of components are enabled. Finally, an example of a simple mechatronics control system is given.