A systematic approach to deriving links between product models in engineering design research

It is necessary to pass on design knowledge through links between product models to efficiently utilise the design knowledge built up throughout a design process. Yet, researchers lack support for deriving new links between product models. Based on the findings from analysing publications that present links, a systematic approach to deriving links between product models in engineering design research is developed and subsequently demonstrated in an illustrative case linking two product models. The approach enables researchers to derive new links between different product models in a systematic and traceable way. This offers the potential to increase the density of known links within the body of product models. Further, this facilitates the integration of previously unlinked product models into design processes and their efficient combination through the passing on of design knowledge.