Integrated environment-adaptive virtual model objects for product modeling

In this paper, the authors discuss their recent contribution to methodology of active product modeling and propose integrated model objects for engineering activities in mechanical systems. Purpose of the proposed model objects is to react changes in the inside and the related modeled world by analysis of behaviors and behavior driven generation of adaptivity features for modification of model entities inside and outside of the object. They are composed by elementary, structural, relationship, behavior, knowledge and adaptivity features. The proposed model objects are inherently highly integrated. An overview of product modeling introduces approach by the authors to modeling by using of the proposed model objects. Following this, architecture of integrated, environment adaptive model objects is detailed. Then activities of integrated objects are placed on four level of the model. Finally, integration and implementation issues are discussed.