Systems Engineering

Space robotics is characterized by its complexity. However validation on real prototype is costly and under real environmental conditions also limited. Thus the continuous virtual commission is crucial. This article describes a new approach for an integrated system- and test specification that fulfils the current ECSS standards and enables an early verification and validation of the system under development. This approach was validated on several space robotics applications but is not limited to this field and can be applied to other areas such as autonomous driving or automation.

The leading-edge Cluster Intelligent Technical Systems OstWestfalenLippe (it’s OWL) focuses on the innovation leap from mechatronics to systems with inherent intelligence. Within this paper we explain the technological evolution and its drivers for such intelligent technical systems. This leads to a technological concept which has been chosen as basis for the leading-edge cluster’s technology platform. Finally we present the cluster’s structure and its projects.

The need to continuously adapt production systems to changing market conditions has dramatically increased during the last years. In particular small and medium sized enterprises (SME) are faced with the challenge to develop lean production systems and often struggle to identify and apply appropriate production system design methods. This paper presents a concept that supports SME to identify suitable production system design principles and methods and to implement lean production systems with respect to strategy, product life cycle phases and external change drivers.

The software embedded in technical products has increasingly become the driving force of product innovations. Software has rapidly acquired relevance and complexity, particularly in the areas of industrial and automotive engineering. The development of the software, however, is faced with the often difficult task of integrating the systems into complex technological environments such as cars or production lines which rigid requirements concerning safety and reliability. To cope with these challenges a close collaboration between the developers of various areas of expertise such as mechanical, electrical, and software engineering is indispensable. Particularly the involvement of the software development is a common weak point in many companies. With the Quality Gate Plan this article presents an approach to the project management for the development of software-intensive sys-tems.