The integrated function modeling framework and its relation to function structures

Abstract

Research and industrial practice have produced a host of function models and modeling approaches over the last decades. Each of these is meant to support designers in their design endeavors. Industrial practice is excessively diversified in terms of contextual requirements, aims, and adopted processes; this automatically begs the question which of the existing models should be selected for application in a specific situation. This paper sets out to contribute to this discourse. It strives to benchmark the fairly novel integrated function modeling (IFM) framework against the well-established function structures modeling approach. The paper comparatively investigates the respective capabilities of the approaches, following the benchmarking protocol used earlier in relation to this Special Issue. Function structures are used as reference as they represent one of the most widespread function modeling approaches in research and practice. Both function structures and the IFM framework are exemplarily applied for modeling a glue gun. The gradual generation and refinement of the models is used to showcase their respective benefits and shortcomings. Eventually, the IFM framework is found to excel over function structures in terms of comprehensiveness and support for different types of function analyses. Finally, future research directions are proposed.

Function in engineering: Benchmarking representations and models

“…Functional modeling currently receives a renewed interest as the greater integration of mechanical systems with electric systems and software required trade-off across systems on a functional. For example, the integrated function modeling framework (Gericke & Eisenbart, 2017) in this Special Issue bridges this gap by combining multiple views on functional modeling.…”

Thoughts on benchmarking of function modeling: Why and how

“…With the exception of Yildirim et al (2017), in general the papers have again started from a theoretical perspective rather than embrace the challenges that industry is facing. However Gericke and Eisenbart (2017) and Yildirim et al (2017) have been embracing the challenges of using function modeling to bridge across the different disciplines, as products become more complex and initiatives like Industry 4.0 or the Internet of Things push companies to bring hardware, electronics, and software closer together. We can still look forward to decades of interesting research on functions.…”

“…The paper by Kilian Gericke and Boris Eisenbart, titled “The Integrated Function Modeling Framework and Its Relation to Function Structures,” proposes a novel approach to function modeling called integrated function modeling (IFM) framework, which combines multiple viewpoint on functions in a single model (Gericke & Eisenbart, 2017). Building on work by (Vermaas, 2009, 2013; Vermaas & Eckert, 2013) and others, the IFM incorporates a behavior-related notion, an outcome-related notion, and task or goal-related notion of function into a single model, as the authors see an inherent lack of function modeling approaches to provide guidance in linking between different contents and viewpoints in particularly across design disciplines such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and software, which have to come together in most complex contemporary systems.…”

Enhanced function-means modeling supporting design space exploration

“…Furthermore, FMs are commonly created on a lower fidelity level than geometry models and therefore provide greater flexibility in terms of the introduction or alteration of model elements. Many function modeling methodologies and examples presented in academic publications focus on either the functional decomposition of existing designs for the purpose of analysis or illustration (e.g.,; Albers and Sadowski, 2014; Gericke and Eisenbart, 2017) or on a from-scratch product development approach (e.g.,; Helms and Shea, 2012; Johannesson and Claesson, 2005). The ability to extend and build onto existing product models, which would more closely resemble the industrial practice of incremental product development (Wyatt et al ., 2009), is developed to a lesser extent.…”