Active Information Environment to Achieve Concurrent Engineering

In process industry, concurrent engineering has been applied as an important approach to assure success in product design and manufacturing. We introduce a new solution: Active Information Environment (AIE) to promote its realization in Virtual Product Development (VPD). The concept, system framework, functions achieved and the main technology involved in the system are discussed in detail. A case study of boiler design and drafting system is made to illustrate the concept and implementation of AIE system.