Multiple-view feature modelling for integral product development

To allow a designer to focus on the information that is relevant for a particular product development phase, is an important aspect of integral product development. Unlike current modelling systems, multiple-view feature modelling can adequately support this, by providing an own view on a product for each phase. Each view contains a feature model of the product specific for the corresponding phase. An approach to multiple-view feature modelling is presented that supports conceptual design, assembly design, part detail design and part manufacturing planning. It does not only provide views with form features to model single parts, as previous approaches to multiple-view feature modelling did, but also a view with conceptual features, to model the product configuration with functional components and interfaces between these components, and a view with assembly features, to model the connections between components. The general concept of this multiple-view feature modelling approach, the functionality of the four views, and the way the views are kept consistent, are described. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.