Product models in embodiment design: an investigation of challenges and opportunities

In product development, many different models of the product and the development process exist. In the phase of embodiment design, models of the product are essential. Finding a suitable product model for an embodiment design task can be challenging, because many different models are available. The aim of this contribution is to categorize existing product models in embodiment design and to develop an initial approach to structured product model selection. The product models are obtained from a systematic literature review. Criteria for structuring are derived from similar research into process models and interdisciplinary models for product development. The identified models are categorized in an overview and a tabular detailed analysis of their characteristics. A guideline on how to identify suitable models using the overview and table is developed. This guideline is explained with a structured product model selection process being used as an example. To sum up, this contribution is to initially support design engineers in choosing suitable models for their tasks.