Requirements and design concepts of a software tool for a multidimensional analysis of process chains

The increasing consumption of resources at the present time leads to more awareness for sustainability. To take responsibility for the environment means to develop resource- and production efficient technologies for the future. For this very reason and in conjunction with their positive characteristics there has been a great demand for lightweight structures in the automobile industry and aircraft construction. For hybrid lightweight constructions (HLWC) materials such as metal, plastics or textiles are bonded together to achieve a significant weight reduction whilst providing a great amount of stability and structural strength. The ecological and economic manufacturing of HLWC is also a very important aspect for a sustainable development. New tools and machines have to be developed, whereby conventional technologies are consolidated in such a way that the manufacturing of hybrid lightweight components can be accomplished in one single process stage. The efforts on behalf of HLWC are worthwhile: high use phase energy savings and reduction of CO2 emissions.