Digital Data Package

Duration

since 2009

Mission

Today, different data exchange formats that support the product development process are developed and maintained in the working groups of the VDA and the prostep ivip Association. These data formats cover dedicated use cases for domain-specific data exchange. The exchange of the links between the artifacts contained in the individual data exchange formats is not currently supported, which in turn means that insufficient support is provided for cross-domain collaboration and data exchange.

The aim of this project is therefore to develop a data exchange format that supports the collaborative, model-based development of products/systems, which makes possible the cross-enterprise and cross-domain exchange of product data and gives due consideration to end-to-end configuration management. The availability of such a data format, called a "digital data package" (DDP), makes it possible for companies to create a minimal digital thread based on linked data exchange standards and thus enabling them to link and exchange the technical data of a digital twin.

Milestones 2021

The objective for 2021 was to define the technical concept created in 2020 in greater detail and expand the technical demonstrator using real product data provided by the participating companies. STEP, OSLC, SpecIF and an XML-based in-house development, among others, were tested in the context of the machine-readable representation of the contents of a digital data package. A final decision on the formats has not yet been made. The DDP recommendation has been finalized and is scheduled for adoption in 2022.

Outlook 2022

In 2022, it is planned that the data model be expanded to include additional domains such as product verification, manufacturing and measurement planning. This will result in new relations that will need to be added to the existing data model. To establish the digital data package as a neutral medium for cross-enterprise collaboration, company-specific formulations, like those that exist today for materials and weights, must also be given due consideration.

These are intended to provide the basis for issuing implementation guidelines for the vendors and system integrators' IT tools and providing user tutorials. An in-depth exchange of information and ideas with the other working groups will also be pursued in 2022.