Information system based on a working situation model for a new design approach in concurrent engineering

The research presented proposes an innovative approach for production systems design and modelling, which is based on a 'Working Situation' model (Hasan et al. 2003a). This approach aims to integrate all trades at the present time in the design process. The proposed model allows one to define the working situation and its characterizing elements. It also allows us to define the relative concepts to these elements. This model has been implanted in an ACCESS database. A demonstration information system, based on a product model named the Working Situation Model, has been developed in collaboration with a company that designs and produces printing lines. Our objective of this demonstration of the information system is to illustrate the utility of our model by presenting a using scenario of this model. The principle of this model is to describe exactly the conceived system by integrating the various points of view ( functional, mechanical, geometrical, electric, etc.) by including references to the elements of working situation and risk ( phenomena and dangerous zones ( European Committee for Standardization 1993). In this scenario two essential points are highlighted. The first concerns the logical construction of this model. The second one concerns the communication improvement among the various actors of a concurrent engineering design process using the proposed methods in the model within the framework of a new design approach.