This project demonstrates that the simultaneous modeling of features and design interdependencies is essential for the critical software communications necessary to support computer-integrated engineering (CIE). Consistency between interdependent features must be preserved, so that a change to one feature is reflected in all appropriate dependent features. For example, a design feature and a manufacturing feature may be interdependent, where a design change may necessitate change in the associated numerical control (NC) program. Hence, an a fortiori requirement is the development of a representative library of interdependent features. Unfortunately, current computer aided design (CAD) systems emphasize the input of detailed design-interdependencies within the original design intent can not be easily expressed, even though they are often well understood by the designer. Modern concurrent engineering envisions design, manufacturing, assembly, maintenance, and evolution as co-operative activities; implying that the representation of interdependencies should be permissible within any stage of CIE activity. The use of object-oriented software design tools, undergoing parallel development by an internal software engineering research team, provide opportunities to capture these interdependencies and efficiently propagate product and process changes. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated over and object- oriented database within a complex CIE domain, using emerging industrial jet engine casing designs as test cases.
