Differences: Inheritance = inheritance of implementation; interfaces = selection; categories cannot be used in formulas, because they aren’t elements of the model, but rather views of the model
Overview: Previously, EEC was primarily used by developers who construct modular systems. For other user groups, for example project engineers or sales representatives, detailed representations of all modular system components and their parameters are generally confusing and unnecessary.
Different groups of users require specific views of the model that contain only the data relevant to their task. This means that every object has to be classifiable based on different criteria. This can be accomplished by means of the category system object.
Examples:
Category |
Description |
Selection values |
---|---|---|
Visibility |
Differentiation between externally visible and internal parameters, objects, etc. Sample application: Selecting private parameters that are only required for a component’s internal calculations and should not be externally visible Selecting private components of a library that are not to be used for configuration Note: Programming languages generally have a corresponding construct (keywords) for specifying the visibility of classes, methods, etc. This mechanism can by freely specified in accordance with company-specific requirements by means of the ‘category’ system object. |
public private |
Discipline |
For each parameter, it is possible to specify which disciplines are responsible for determining the parameter value (e.g. electrical engineer) |
Mechanic Electric Software |
Calculation method |
The construction of a system, for example a cooling and ventilation installation, is based on input parameters (e.g. required temperature difference) and provides output parameters (e.g. cross-section of the ventilation duct, volumetric flow rate). When inspecting blueprints, it is necessary to simulate potential operating conditions based on the construction’s input and output parameters. To this end, for example, the volumetric flow rate of a planned system is calculated subject to actual temperature differences for a fixed cross-section of the ventilation duct. In each case, the different calculations are based on specific parameters of a component. This is why it is a good idea to categorize parameters based on mode of calculation (construction, simulation), so as to be able to filter either the construction or simulation parameter depending on the usage phase. Note: It is of course also possible to model a real component by means of a construction or simulation component. However, this makes management more difficult (copying, creating versions, etc.). |
Construction Simulation |
outdated |
For each parameter, it is possible to specify which disciplines are responsible for determining the parameter value (e.g. electrical engineer) |
Types of categories:
The following types of categories may be distinguished:
- Simple category: Categories without specific selection values, e.g. a deprecated category. An object is marked as deprecated by assigning it the simple category deprecated.
- Selection category: In addition to simple categories, it is often necessary to specify possible selection values for a category. An example of this is the category of visibility