Using Delta Files to Implement Concurrent Engineering: Results of an Experiment†

Data management tools that effectively capture engineering changes are necessary so that engineers can work on the design and implementation of a product concurrently. We report on an experiment in which PDES/STEP was used to communicate an original product data set between two engineers, and delta files were used to communicate subsequent engineering changes. The experiment demonstrates the potential of delta files for concurrent engineering and identifies several important issues for consideration as the approach matures.