DOMAIN ALLOCATION IN MECHATRONIC PRODUCTS

The appropriate allocation of the different domains (mechanics, electronics and software) to the functions within a mechatronic product is one of the essential problems in mechatronics. Nevertheless, an analysis of existing methods for the development of mechatronic systems shows that domain allocation is not sufficiently supported. In order to develop a new allocation method, the interfaces between the different domains as well as the influencing factors are analyzed. It is found, that the interfaces between the electrical and the mechanical domain are of major importance for domain allocation. Based on the results of the analysis, a new approach for a method which can support the process of domain allocation is presented.