The development of complex products and systems requires a thorough concept phase.

Especially the integration of different engineering domains and the mapping of the product requirements to domain specific functions and solution components call for this focus on early stages. Several methodical approaches are in place to support concept phase from requirements engineering to function, product logic, structure, and components.

However, tool support in the early phases of systems engineering lacks integration and also requires new competences from design engineers.

The paper focusses on tools and methods for early engineering design phases and presents preliminary results of a systems engineering and a doctoral programme on Cyber-Physical Production Systems (CPPS).

Detlef Gerhard
Full Professor
Mechanica Engineering Informatics and Virtual Product Development (MIVP)
Technische Universität Wien
Faculty of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering