Track-and-trace for CAD models in distributed engineering

In the context of global engineering supply chains the virtual product is subject to a constant risk of espionage, fraud and sabotage. Beside other security technologies, digital watermarks are one approach to raise the security level in a company. In this article we concentrate on embedding digital watermarks into 3D product models. A digital watermark can be used to store and retrieve information such as the originator or the legitimate receiver of the model. We give a short overview of existing watermarking technologies for polygonal and parametric models and a more detailed description of an algorithm that is well suited for the track-and-trace scenario. Concrete usage scenarios illustrate technical alternatives and the integration in the product creation environment.