Birthe Böhm

Mechatronic models as a driver for digital plant engineering

The digital plant is still a vision since standard engineering tools and systems currently address only specific areas or phases in the engineering process and engineering methodologies are difficult to derive. This paper points out the importance of mechatronic domain models for integrated engineering tool and system landscapes and their significance as a driver for digital plant engineering. A strategy for developing an integrated tool and system landscape is suggested based on user-centric mechatronic domain models. In addition, the definition of mechatronic domain models is discussed.

Improving mechatronical engineering: An artifact-assessment-based approach

Industrial engineering as a specialization of systems engineering inherently has mechatronic character. The seamless integration of engineering activities across engineering disciplines and throughout the overall engineering life cycle is a key element for achieving optimal technical as well as economic results and has to be supported by adequate engineering concepts and models. In this paper we present a criteria catalog for the qualitative evaluation of engineering artifacts created in or for engineering projects or contained in mechatronic product catalogs. The criteria catalog forms the basis for an assessment-based approach for evaluating mechatronic objects with the main purposes of providing the basis for characterizing, comparing, and improving them and furthermore for identifying directions for engineering improvements.

Application of engineering processes analysis to evaluate benefits of mechatronic engineering

Mechatronic thinking in engineering is an upcoming trend in production system design and implementation. Several approaches and tools are considered and developed within the last years. Nevertheless, within practice the adoption of mechatronic engineering is not very fast. This is due to the required conviction of engineers about the benefits of mechatronic engineering. Within this paper methods of engineering process analysis are used to evaluate the benefits of mechatronic engineering.

Experiences of Application in the Automation Domain

In this chapter, we explain the application of the SPES XT modeling framework for the running example of the desalination plant. The objective is to explain the philosophy and methodology of the SPES XS modeling framework to automation domain experts based on artifacts, processes, and tools usually used today in the automation domain.

Potentials of mechatronic objects for improving mechatronic engineering: Results and insights from an online survey

Industrial engineering is inherently of mechatronic character. The integration of all involved disciplines across the entire engineering life cycle is considered as a key element for improvements but requires appropriate conceptual support. Mechatronic objects provide such an approach. A criteria catalog for an assessment-based qualitative evaluation of respective engineering artifacts was developed, which aims to support characterizing, comparing, and improving mechatronic objects. In addition, it allows identifying directions for engineering improvements. In order to align future research efforts with industry needs, we conducted a survey among practitioners and researchers on their estimations regarding the potential of the mechatronic object concept and the implementation of selected criteria. This paper provides the results and insights from this survey and suggests a roadmap in order to improve mechatronic engineering.