competence in mechatronics software engineering and consulting

competence in mechatronics software engineering and consulting

Mechanical engineering in the past Mechanical engineering in the future Mechatronics, a sub-ordinate task Mechatronics, an integrated approach Source: ITQ Source: ITQ Mastering mechatronic projects with major software content is one of the biggest challenges in mechanical engineering, but worth the effort. The opportunity to better compete outweighs the costs. Dr.-Ing. Rainer Stetter Managing Director ITQ GmbH and Software Factory GmbH, Associate Professor for Mechatronics, TU Munich

Competence. Mechatronic Engineering As an independent service company, we have been providing software engineering and interdisciplinary project management since 1998. Our concepts convince because they make our experience in mechatronic engineering tangible and address the specific problems of mechanics, electronics and software in balanced approach. ITQ and our associated company Software Factory, enable and facilitate the planning and implementation of software development projects. We have more than 60 highly qualified specialists in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and IT at your disposal. We guarantee our costumers expert guidance and reduced risk in their projects. For every project phase, from analysis through design, implementation, and test we offer customized consulting and engineering services. We do not provide our customers with conventional consultancy; we support them and coach them through their development projects and costumer-contracts. We focus special attention on the sustainability of the processes and procedures introduced. This way, the result of recommendations are mesurable and comprehensible to all involved parties. At the same time, the ability to adapt and re-apply the methods and processes to other projects in your company is improved. 03

Challenge. Successful management of mechatronic processes Delivering products in less time, at lower prices and with new, innovative functions is a vital prerequisite for success in an increasingly though global market. Product reliability, however, must not suffer as a result of the measures that are introduced to achieve those goals. Improving the development process is key to squaring the circle. An additional challenge is the continual increase in the proportion of software engineering in mechatronic developments. Coordinating mechanics, electronics, and software is becoming even more importance because of mutual interdependencies. Successful management of mechatronic development processes is a major contributor to a company s long-term prospect for success. Shift of Development Mix Functions 100% 90% 80% Mechanics 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% Electronics 20% Software 10% 0% 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 Source: VDMA, ITQ prognosis based on market data 04

Benchmark. Maturity level a pre-condition for improvement Improvement that is what ITQ is about. Efficiently measuring internal processes and determining their maturity level are essential requirements for improving those processes. During the research project BESTVOR, ITQ developed an efficient method for evaluating the maturity level of processes in mechatronic engineering. A company s maturity level depends essentially on the achieved degree of interdisciplinary cooperation. For higher maturity levels, it is necessary to have integration between development tools used by different engineering disciplines. For determining the maturity level, ITQ offers a rapid assessment which allows a comprehensive conclusion within one hour. Specific measures to improve process quality are proposed, depending on the determined maturity level. In addition customers get a benchmark of their current situation in relation to other companies and for which maturity level they should aim. Level of Maturity Implementation of Defined Processes Level of Maturity 1 Classic Level of Maturity 2 Partial mastered Level of Maturity 3 Mastered Level of Maturity 4 Advanced Interdisciplinary Coordination Source: Level of Maturity - Ministry funded research project BESTVOR (Strategy for operational introduction of an application oriented process model for the development of more reliable mechatronic systems in mechanical engineering) 05

Approach. Quality Gate Model Transparency in every phase After determining the process maturity, it is possible to identify necessary steps for improvement. To implement them, you need to make sure that the procedures you introduce are indeed practiced in your daily work. The necessary transparency can be achieved, by introducing the quality gate model. This concept divides a project into clearly defined phases with explicitly assigned actions and work products. Detailed guidelines, written by VDMA in cooperation with ITQ, describe the procedures to be used in these project phases. After completing each phase, the work progress in every discipline is assessed and visualized using the Quality Gate Project Monitor, which was developed by ITQ. Using this Quality Gate Model, the interdisciplinary cooperation that has been practiced in projects can be easily displayed. The Quality Gate Model was defined in collaboration with renowned members of the machine and plant industry. Its definition was a part of the ProMiS project, initiated by VDMA. It is now established as de facto standard for mechatronic development processes. Initial Phase Requirement Design Implementation Sytem Specification Specification Integration Acceptance Phase Project Start Project Result Assessment Source: Quality Gate Model Ministry funded research project ProMiS (Project Management for interdisciplinary system development) 06

Cooperation. Networking - Basis of mechatronics We live mechatronics, in our projects and in our cooperation with associations and universities. Intensive cooperation with engineering organizations: VDMA, ZVEI, ASQF, Cluster Mechatronik & Automation, Kompetenznetzwerk Mechatronik BW, Packaging Valley, Clusterland Oberösterreich (Austria), CEQUIP (Spain), CRIT (Italy) Leadership of workgroups for VDMA guidelines Design, realization, implementation of research projects Support of young mechatronic engineers e.g. by lectures at the Technical University of Munich and University Duisburg-Essen; guest lectures at La Salle University Barcelona (Spain), University of Girona (Spain), Johannes Kepler University Linz (Austria) Initializing of mechatronic events like Benchmark Forum and organizing of special exhibitions at trade fairs like HANNOVER MESSE, SPS/ IPC/DRIVES, AUTOMATICA, Motek Customers & Partners AC-Automation, ALSTOM Schweiz, Avery Dennison Deutschland, Bernecker + Rainer Industrie Elektronik, Baumüller Holding, BMW Group, Böllhoff Automation, Bosch Packaging, BRUNATA-METRONA, Dorst Technologies, EBERHARD, Eduard Küsters Maschinenfabrik, E.P. Elektro Projekt, EPLAN Software & Service, E-T-A Elektrotechnische Apparate, Festo, Ferrocontrol Steuerungssysteme, FRENCO, GEA Küba, GE Jenbacher, Giesecke & Devrient, GLEASON-PFAUTER Maschinenfabrik, grapho metronic Meß- und Regeltechnik, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, Homag Holzbearbeitungssystem, HOLZMA Plattenaufteiltechnik, Jungheinrich, KAPP Group, Lindauer DORNIER, Lorenz, mayr Antriebstechnik, Medicon, MediSeal, meurer, milon industries, milon software, MR Etikettiertechnik, MULTIVAC Sepp Haggenmüller, OCTUM, OPTIMA filling and packaging machines, Oerlikon Barmag, Oerlikon Schlafhorst, Oystar A+F, Oystar IWK, PALFINGER, Pilz, PHOENIX CONTACT Deutschland, PRIMACON Maschinenbau, Raimann Holzoptimierung, REFU Elektronik, REFUsol, RO- BEL Bahnbaumaschinen, Rücker, Schneider Electric (ELAU), Schuler Pressen, SCHUNK, Siemens, Siemens Healthcare, Siempelkamp Handling Systeme, Siempelkamp Maschinen- und Anlagenbau, SIGMATEK, Smith & Nephew, SMS Demag, SOMIC Verpackungsmaschinen, sortimat, STROTHMANN Machines & Handling, 3S-Smart Software Solutions, TIBCO Software, TÜV Süd, Transnova RUF Verpackungs- und Palettiertechnik, TRUMPF Lasertechnik, TRUMPF Maschinen Austria, TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen, UNICOR, Voith Paper, WAFIOS, Weber Maschinenbau, WEEKE, WEYHMÜLLER Verpackungstechnik, WITTENSTEIN electronics, Zwick. 07

Portfolio. Systems Engineering Process Improvement Analysis and process consulting Project management and consulting Interim and crisis management Process optimization and improvement Recommendations based on the Quality Gate Model and VDMA guidelines Modularization Analysis of current standards and solutions Development of mechatronic module concepts Preparation and migration of existing data Selection of engineering tools Software Engineering Agile Software Development Analysis, development, and assessment of software architectures Structuring of software development processes PLC programming (CoDeSys, Step7, RSLogix) Software implementation (C, C++, C#) Software Restructuring Roadmap for restructuring Automatic software analysis Design of a suitable architecture Implementation of prototypes and product ready applications Test and Quality Control Test Management Requirement analysis, requirement description Specification, development, and execution of test cases Automation of software tests Development and implementation of a test management system Virtual Commissioning Selection of suitable simulation tools and generation of complete models Execution of virtual commissioning, including documentation Acceptance test Development and supply of libraries ITQ GmbH Parkring 4 D-85748 Garching b. München Phone: +49 89 32 19 81-70 Fax: +49 89 32 19 81-89 info@itq.de www.itq.de