Keywords
lifecycle management
MBSE
PLM
CAD/CAE
Digital Thread
Digital Twin
variant and configuration management
How to Cite
Abstract
Product development is undergoing profound change: whereas the focus used to be on geometric modelling of individual components, today the focus is on networked systems. Classic CAD design is increasingly becoming a strategic integration tool that combines mechanics, electronics, software and simulation. Model-based approaches such as MBSE and semantically linked CAD models create consistent data chains that enable seamless collaboration across disciplinary boundaries. The shift from component design to systemoriented development processes is particularly evident in the growing importance of parametric and functionally linked models. Changes to a parameter automatically lead to adjustments in dependent geometries, simulations and parts lists, significantly reducing development times and error costs. At the same time, CAD is becoming increasingly linked to PDM and AI-based lifecycle management systems. This integration creates a uniform, always up-to-date database the ‘single source of truth’ across the entire product lifecycle. Modern CAD systems not only map geometries, but also manage semantic information such as functions, materials, manufacturing data and tolerances. Simulation plays a central role in this: it is no longer a downstream step, but an integral part of the design. Isogeometric analyses and automated feedback loops are increasingly blurring the line between design and verification. Another milestone is the connection between CAD and the digital twin. Here, real operating data is linked to virtual models, so that design, simulation and operation are part of a continuous cycle. Companies that implement this approach report shorter development cycles, higher product quality and better maintainability. But the transformation remains challenging: data quality, standardisation, interfaces and cultural change are key hurdles. The move towards ‘system-driven product development’ is forward-looking: CAD as a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration, automated adjustments and learning digital twins. This turns the CAD system into the control centre of networked development a place where mechanics, electronics, software and data management merge into an intelligent overall system.
References
Browning, T. R., & Ramasesh, R. V. (2015). A systematic approach to managing integration in complex projects. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 62(4).
Meussen, B. (2021). On the use of model-based systems engineering and CAD for the design of physical products. Proceedings of the Design Society: ICED21, 1, 2317–2326. Cambridge University Press.
Krause, F. L. (2019). Strategic roles of CAD in integrated product development. Journal of Engineering Design. Cambridge University Press.
Maier, M. W., & Rechtin, E. (2009). The art of systems architecting. CRC Press / MIT Consortium.
Tomiyama, T., et al. (2019). Design theory and methodology for complex systems. Journal of Engineering Design. Cambridge University Press.
Cameron, B. G. (2020). Model-based systems engineering at MIT. MIT Systems Engineering Research Group.
Nigel, H., et al. (2018). Digital thread implementation in aerospace systems. IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings.
Grieves, M. (2017). Digital twin: Manufacturing excellence through virtual factory replication. Florida Institute of Technology.
da Rocha, H., Pereira, J., Abrishambaf, R., & Espirito Santo, A. (2022). An interoperable digital twin with the IEEE 1451 standards. Sensors, 22(19), 7590. MDPI.
Bjørnsson, H., et al. (2021). Parameter-driven modeling for change propagation. Cambridge Engineering Design Centre Reports.
Jyeniskhan, N. (2024). Exploring the integration of digital twin and additive manufacturing. [Article].
Dihan, M. S. (2024). Digital twin: Data exploration, architecture, implementation and technical challenges. [Journal].
Reinhart, G., et al. (2020). Integrated development of electromechanical systems. Procedia CIRP. Cambridge University Press.
Ball, A., & Richards, M. (2019). Model-based information in PLM environments. International Journal of Computer Integrated Manufacturing.
Wang, H., et al. (2018). Model-based definition for manufacturing integration. IEEE Access, 6.
Anwer, N., et al. (2025). Developing and leveraging digital twins in engineering: Combining models of different fidelity and integrating digital tools like PLM, CAD, and CAE. [Journal].
Kirschner, T., et al. (2021). Traceability in model-based PLM environments. TUM Engineering Design Research Papers.
Webb, L. (2024). State of the art and future directions of digital twin-enabled smart factories. [Journal].
Oberender, J., & Birkhofer, H. (2018). Requirements traceability in system design. Cambridge Journal of Engineering Design.
Friedenthal, S., et al. (2015). SysML for systems engineering. Morgan Kaufmann / Cambridge.
Weilkiens, T. (2017). Systems engineering with SysML/UML. Wiley / IEEE Press.
Peak, R. S., et al. (2007). Integrating SysML and CAD for model-based design. IEEE Transactions on Computers in Industry.
Berns, A., et al. (2019). Semantic bridges between CAD and system architecture models. Stanford Center for Integrated Facility Engineering.
Fei, Z., et al. (2022). Automatic CAD model generation from SysML specifications. IEEE Access, 10.
Cao, J., et al. (2021). SysML-CAD interoperability framework. IEEE Systems Engineering Conference Proceedings.
Pronost, G. (2024). Digital twins along the product lifecycle: A systematic approach. [Journal].
Shao, G., Jain, S., Laroque, C., Lee, L. H., Lendermann, P., & Rose, O. (2019). Digital twin for smart manufacturing: The simulation aspect. Proceedings of the Winter Simulation Conference.
Reinschmidt, K. F. (1994). Smarter computer-aided design. IEEE Expert, April 1994.
Pahl, G., Beitz, W., et al. (2013). Engineering design: A systematic approach. Cambridge University Press.
Zhang, Q., et al. (2021). Parametric thermal design of EV battery packs. IEEE Access, 9.
Möller, M., et al. (2022). Rule-based CAD adaptation linked to requirements engineering. IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering.
ISO 10303-242. (2019). Managed model-based 3D engineering. ISO / Cambridge University Digital Manufacturing Centre.
Balling, R., & Tacke, A. (2023). Towards consistent model-based product data management for integrated design. IEEE Access, 11.
Eigner, M., Gilz, T., & Zafirov, R. (2018). Proposal for model-based systems engineering (MBSE) approach for the development of cyber-physical systems. Proceedings of the Design Society: ICED18. Cambridge University Press.
Haskins, C. (2020). Systems engineering and the digital transformation of CAD/PLM integration. IEEE Systems Journal, 14(3).
Haberfellner, R., de Weck, O., Fricke, E., & Vössner, S. (2019). Systems engineering: Fundamentals and applications. Springer / MIT.
Sinha, R., & de Weck, O. L. (2017). A network-based approach to analyzing complex product architecture designs. Cambridge Journal of Engineering Design.
Wallace, K. (2021). Interdisciplinary interfaces in CAD for system design. Design Science. Cambridge University Press.
Pérez, J., et al. (2023). Cross-domain integration between CAD and simulation tools via model ontologies. IEEE Access, 11.
Liu, Y., & Jiang, P. (2022). Unified data representation for digital twin enabled design and manufacturing. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 18(9).
Deng, H., & Li, H. (2020). Integration of knowledge-based engineering and parametric CAD for automated design adaptation. IEEE Access, 8.
Cao, D., & Zhou, M. (2023). Data-driven engineering design integration via PLM systems. IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering.
Salehi, V. (2024). Application of Munich Agile Concept for MBSE for a holistic approach to collect vehicle data based on board diagnostic system. In Proceedings of the 44th Computers and Information in Engineering Conference (CIE) (Vol. 2B). https://doi.org/10.1115/DETC2024-141089
Salehi, V. (2023). Application of Munich Agile Concept for MBSE-based development of automated guided robot based on digital twin-data. In Proceedings of the 43rd Computers and Information in Engineering Conference (CIE) (Vol. 2). https://doi.org/10.1115/DETC2023-110983
Salehi, V. (2021). Application of a holistic approach of hydrogen internal combustion engine (HICE) buses. In Proceedings of the Design Society. https://doi.org/10.1017/pds.2021.48
Salehi, V., & Wang, S. (2021). Application of Munich agile concepts for MBSE as a holistic and systematic design of urban air mobility in case of design of vertiports and vertistops. In Proceedings of the Design Society. https://doi.org/10.1017/pds.2021.50
Salehi, V. (2021). Integration of blockchain technology in systems engineering and software engineering in an industrial context. In Proceedings of the Design Society. https://doi.org/10.1017/pds.2021.450
Salehi, V., Taha, J., & Wang, S. (2020). Application of Munich Agile Concept for MBSE by means of automated valet parking functions and the 3D environment-data. In Proceedings of the ASME Design Engineering Technical Conference. https://doi.org/10.1115/DETC2020-22040
Salehi, V., & Wang, S. (2019). Munich Agile MBSE concept (MAGIC). In Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED). https://doi.org/10.1017/dsi.2019.377
Salehi, V. (2019). Development of an agile concept for MBSE for future digital products through the entire life cycle management called Munich Agile MBSE Concept (MAGIC). Computer-Aided Design and Applications, 17(1), 147–166. https://doi.org/10.14733/cadaps.2020.147-166
Taha, J., & Salehi, V. (2018). Development of a low-powered wireless IoT sensor network based on MBSE. In Proceedings of the IEEE International Symposium on Systems Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1109/SysEng.2018.8544420
Salehi, V., Groß, F., & Taha, J. (2018). Implementation of systems modelling language (SysML) in consideration of the CONSENS approach. In Proceedings of the International Design Conference (DESIGN). https://doi.org/10.21278/idc.2018.0146
Salehi, V., & Wang, S. (2018). Web-based visualisation of 3D factory layout from hybrid modelling of CAD and point cloud. Computer-Aided Design and Applications, 16(2), 243–255. https://doi.org/10.14733/cadaps.2019.243-255
Salehi, V., & Wang, S. (2017). Using point cloud technology for process simulation in digital factory. In Proceedings of the ICED Conference. https://portal.issn.org/resource/ISSN/2220-4342
Salehi, V., & McMahon, C. (2016). Identification of factors during the introduction and implementation of PLM methods and systems in an industrial context. In IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology (AICT). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33111-9_35
Salehi, V., & Burseg, L. (2016). System-driven product development (SDPD) for mechatronic systems. In IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology (AICT). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33111-9_66
Salehi, V., & McMahon, C. (2011). Development and application of an integrated approach for parametric associative CAD design in an industrial context. Computer-Aided Design and Applications, 8(2), 225–236. https://doi.org/10.3722/cadaps.2011.225-236
Salehi, V., & McMahon, C. (2011). Development of an evaluation framework for implementation of parametric associative methods in an industrial context. In Proceedings of the ICED 11 Conference (EID 2-s2.0-84858843777).
Salehi, V., & McMahon, C. (2009). Methodological integration of parametric associative CAD systems in PLM environment. In Proceedings of the ASME Design Engineering Technical Conference (DETC2009). https://doi.org/10.1115/DETC2009-86583
Salehi, V., & McMahon, C. (2009). Action research into parametric associative CAD systems in an industrial context. In Proceedings of the ICED 09 Conference (EID 2-s2.0-79957552184).
Salehi, V., & McMahon, C. (2009). Development of a generic integrated approach for parametric associative CAD systems. In Proceedings of the ICED 09 Conference (EID 2-s2.0-80054981163).
Salehi, V., & McMahon, C. (2011). An integrated approach to parametric associative design for powertrain components in the automotive industry. Action Research. Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (VDI Bayern).
Salehi, V. (2012). An integrated approach to parametric associative design for powertrain components on the automotive industry. University of Bath.
Salehi, V. (2015). Development and application of an integrated approach to CAD design in an industrial context. In Impact of Design Research on Industrial Practice: Tools, Technology, and Training.
Salehi, V., Schade, D., & Taha, J. (2015). Application of SysML in the research field of definition of the environment model for autonomous driving simulation. In Proceedings of the Design Society Conference 2015.
Salehi, V. (2025). Integration of Munich Agile Concept for MBSE in an industrial context for future centralized car server architectures. In Proceedings of the ICIEA EU Conference, Munich University of Applied Sciences, Germany.
Salehi, V. (2025). A holistic and systematic approach for generation of synthetic data sets from CAD data related CNC-production environment. In Proceedings of the ICIEA EU Conference, Munich University of Applied Sciences, Germany.
Salehi, V. (2025). Development of a parametric holistic CAD design for virtual urban air mobility concepts. In Proceedings of the ICIEA EU Conference, Munich University of Applied Sciences, Germany.
Salehi, V. (2025). Application of blockchain in case of engineering data processes and product lifecycle management system. Journal of Intelligent System of Systems Lifecycle Management. https://doi.org/10.71015/dm8rgj08
Salehi, V. (2025). Application of systems engineering in context of building 3D environment for autonomous vehicle systems in an industrial context for central car computing. Journal of Intelligent System of Systems Lifecycle Management. https://doi.org/10.71015/qgdjwx03
Salehi, V., Witte, M., & Loos, M. (2025). Integration of vehicle data file based on blockchain technologie in an industrial context. Journal of Intelligent System of Systems Lifecycle Management. https://doi.org/10.71015/yxkfke75
Salehi, V. (2015). An integrated approach for system driven product development (SDPD) by means of development of a mechatronic systems in an industrial context. ARC Conference.
Salehi, V. (2015). System driven product development (SDPD) by means of development of a mechatronic systems in an industrial context. IFIP Conference.