A design data exchange system for made-to-order products

The authors investigate the design cycle of large made-to-order products and propose a framework in which the design and engineering of such products may be supported in an integrated manner. The design is modeled as an instance of a kernel design cycle enhanced by design modifiers. A product data model is used to represent the resultant information structure as the design evolves. An assumption-based truth maintenance system captures the design evolution and the dependencies between design actions and the product model. The product information model has levels of abstraction which correspond to the design stages. The design data exchange system described here mainly deals with the representation and management of the design process and the underlying product information model generated through this process