Methodology for the evaluation of tools with respect to its applicability within mechatronical engineering

Mechatronical engineering is a recent trend within engineering of manufacturing systems. To enable a most efficient and beneficiary application of mechatronical engineering within engineering organizations the mechatronical engineering has to be based on basic concepts realizing the mechatronical thinking and supporting the user. Within this paper an approach to determine and validate basic concepts required for mechatronical engineering using engineering tools is described. Basic concepts which have to be implemented within tools for mechatronical engineering will be named and its realization in tools and data exchange formats is sketched.