Energy data acquisition and utilization for energy-oriented product data management

The development of energy-efficient products requires a consideration of energy information of all life cycle phases. Product data management (PDM) systems support this development process by providing the design engineer with relevant product data and models, but lack the incorporation of energy simulation models and energy usage measurements of manufacturing, operation, and recycling. This article defines requirements for an energy-oriented product life cycle management and investigates whether existing PDM systems can manage energy models and data. The utilization of prospective and retrospective energy data of machine tools is identified as being essential and is discussed in detail.