Leveraging MBSE for Next-Gen Heavy Mobile Equipment and Machinery
Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) revolutionizes heavy mobile machinery and equipment development, enhancing collaboration, efficiency, and innovation
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform is poised to advance digital engineering objectives and streamline product engineering through an integrated platform approach.
Innovate to Elevate: The Future Beyond Traditional Engineering
The Heavy Mobile Machinery and Equipment industry is witnessing a significant shift with the rise of autonomous machinery, vehicles and equipment capable of operating without human intervention, necessitating robust control systems and sophisticated sensors. The shift from hydraulic and fossil fuel-powered machines to electrically powered alternatives is not only more efficient but also environmentally friendly. Furthermore, the incorporation of alternative energy sources, such as hydrogen fuel cells and advanced battery technologies, fundamentally alters the landscape of heavy equipment. These advancements bring about a profound change in how products are developed, as the integration of software and AI introduces a level of complexity that traditional methods are ill-equipped to handle.
The Power of Model-Based Systems Engineering
Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) directly addresses these challenges by providing a unified framework for product development. One of the key benefits of MBSE is enhanced collaboration across different engineering domains. By using a shared system-level model, MBSE fosters effective communication among teams, reducing the risk of misunderstandings and errors. This collaborative environment is crucial in managing the complex interactions between various subsystems.
Moreover, MBSE ensures traceability of requirements, design decisions and test results throughout the development process. This traceability is essential for regulatory compliance and helps teams understand the impact of changes in one part of the system on the overall product. MBSE also facilitates better risk management by using models to simulate and analyze system behavior early in the development process. This proactive approach helps identify potential issues and mitigate risks before they escalate into costly problems.
Efficiency is another significant advantage of MBSE. The use of a central model reduces the need for redundant documentation and manual updates, streamlining the development process and allowing teams to focus on innovation and quality. The MBSE approach is highly scalable, making it suitable for projects of varying sizes and complexities. This scalability is particularly beneficial as the heavy machinery market evolves and the scope of projects expands.
MBSE supports the integration of AI and other advanced technologies by providing a structured approach to managing complexities. This ensures that AI-driven features are robust, reliable and seamlessly integrated into the overall system.
Holistic Approach to Product Development With Model-Based Systems Engineering
Read our ebook to explore how the future of heavy mobile machinery and equipment is not just about building machines. It is about engineering sophisticated, integrated systems that redefine what is possible.
Conclusion
The transition from traditional to system-based product development is not merely a necessity but a strategic imperative for the heavy mobile machinery and equipment market. As machinery becomes more autonomous, electrical and AI-enabled, the complexities of product development will continue to increase. MBSE offers a robust framework to manage these complexities, enhance collaboration, ensure compliance and drive innovation. With Dassault Systèmes leading the charge, the industry is well-equipped to navigate this transformative period and achieve new heights of efficiency and performance.
By embracing MBSE, companies can keep pace with technological advancements and gain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving market.
FAQ
Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is an approach to systems engineering that uses models to represent system designs, processes, and behaviors rather than relying on traditional document-based methods. It integrates various engineering disciplines, allowing for a unified, visual representation of the entire system. MBSE typically involves:
- Creating digital models that represent different aspects of the system (requirements, architecture, design, analysis, and testing).
- Simulating and validating these models to ensure they meet system requirements and performance criteria.
- Collaborating across teams with a shared understanding of the system through a central model, enabling quicker decisions, earlier identification of problems, and better traceability of requirements.
The three pillars of MBSE are:
- Modeling: Creating and maintaining a digital model of the system, which includes components, functions, interfaces, and relationships. This model evolves throughout the system’s lifecycle.
- Simulation: Using the model to run simulations that test system behavior under different conditions. This helps in identifying issues early in the design process.
- Collaboration: Enabling effective communication and collaboration across different teams and disciplines, all working from the same system model, which helps in aligning expectations and reducing errors.
- Agile is a software development methodology that focuses on iterative development, flexibility, and collaboration. It emphasizes delivering small, incremental improvements in a project through continuous feedback.
- MBSE, on the other hand, is an approach to systems engineering that uses models to represent and manage complex systems. It is broader and more focused on the lifecycle of an entire system, from concept through design, manufacturing, and operation.
The main difference lies in the scope and application:
- Agile focuses on software development and iterative progress, often used in projects where flexibility is essential.
- MBSE applies to the broader system design process, focusing on complex products and ensuring alignment of all engineering disciplines throughout the product lifecycle.
Heavy equipment manufacturers should consider MBSE for several reasons:
- Improved Product Quality: By using models to simulate and validate designs before physical prototypes, MBSE helps identify and correct issues early in the design process, reducing costly errors in manufacturing.
- Complexity Management: Heavy equipment systems are often complex, with many interdependent components. MBSE helps manage this complexity by creating a clear, integrated model of the system.
- Faster Time-to-Market: By streamlining the design and validation process, MBSE can speed up product development, leading to shorter time-to-market.
- Collaboration and Traceability: MBSE enhances collaboration across teams (mechanical, electrical, software, etc.) and provides full traceability from requirements to final product, ensuring all stakeholders are aligned.
- Lifecycle Management: MBSE supports the entire lifecycle of the product, from initial concept through manufacturing, maintenance, and end-of-life, ensuring that long-term operational goals are met.
Dassault Systèmes provides a comprehensive suite of MBSE tools that integrate across the product lifecycle to support complex system design, simulation, and validation.
Key MBSE tools within Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform include:
CATIA Magic: CATIA Magic is Dassault Systèmes' model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tool, built on SysML for system architecture, design, and validation. It enables traceability, collaboration, and compliance with industry standards like ISO 26262 and DO-178C, making it ideal for complex, multidisciplinary systems in aerospace, automotive, and industrial equipment. Integrated within the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, it ensures seamless requirements-to-design alignment and supports digital twin development.
Dymola: Dymola, Dynamic Modeling Laboratory, is a complete tool for modeling and simulation of integrated and complex systems for use within automotive, aerospace, robotics, process and other applications. Rapidly solve complex multi-disciplinary systems modeling and analysis problems, using Dymola's best-in-class Modelica and simulation technology. Dymola is a complete environment for model creation, testing, simulation and post-processing.
ControlBuild: ControlBuild is a dedicated development tool for design and integration tests. Model software specs, create breakdown structures, and design function behavior. Define hardware architecture, map control functions on PLC/ECU, allocate interfaces on IO cards and networks. Generate source code for major PLC/DCS or RT controllers (including railway safety-certified software) and design specifications & CD for suppliers.