Innovative Production Machines and Systems Conference

In most cases the generation or modification of component attributes has an impact on other components of the product structure. This impact is mostly not obvious at first sight and requires further investigation: 3D CAD models allow the (time-consuming) investigation into geometrical interdependencies, given that the models are mature enough and available. Bills of material provide very limited support for the detection of functional interdependencies. Material-related interdependencies cannot be identified at all based on the usually available documentation. As long as the impact on other components is not identied, the processes linked to those components are not triggered. As long as the processes linked to affected components are not triggered, the persons to be informed are not notified and involved in the decision-making activities.