Technology Framework for Product Design

Abstract

The management of product design relevant information in the context of technologies is getting more and more relevant in industries and research. In this paper a framework is introduced to support the management of technology in extension to existing PLM concepts. Moreover, the Technology Object (TO) as one main building block of this framework is presented. With the TO it is possible to represent information which is relevant on technology level – instead of on product level. Furthermore, dimensions of information are introduced that help to describe each TO; such as requirements towards this technology or performance capabilities which a technology is able to fulfill towards the respective environment. This paper focusses on concepts and methods in context of the introduced Technology Framework.