Consistency checking of mechatronic design models

During all phases of the design process there is a need to build models. Hierarchical models are very important tools for complex activities such as engineering design. In engineering of high performance products, mathematical modeling and simulation, i.e. experimenting with computer-based models, is an increasingly important technique for solving problems, evaluating solutions and making decisions. However, large design models may contain thousands of model elements. Designers easily get overwhelmed maintaining the correctness of such design models over time. Not only is it hard to detect new errors when the model changes but it is also hard to keep track of known errors. In the software engineering community this problem is known as a consistency problem and errors in models are known as inconsistencies. This paper presents an approach for consistency checking of mechatronic design models.