Virtual engineering in design and manufacturing

Manufacturing systems of the future highly demand that the product data are built into the product model,and smooth data transfer to other computer-aided technologies are enabled.Depending on the type of the manufacturing system,it is envisaged that virtual engineering(VE) technologies play a significant role in integrating the computer-based technologies involved in the product's life cycle.Simulations in a virtual world and exchange of real-time product or design data are among the benefits for today's global oriented manufacturing business.To highlight the significance of design as carrier of product data and the key role played by VE technologies to inter-link design,manufacturing and associated components,this paper presents an overview and analysis of the state-of-the-art VE technologies to indicate potential applications and future research directions.