Through-life data management for composite material products

The management of digital engineering information throughout the life cycle of an engineered product can be achieved by the representation of this information in information models specified in International Standards. The fundamental basis of this technology is described and its application to the design and manufacture of composites is outlined. The use of ISO 10303-235 'Engineering properties and materials information' for the representation of data from the testing of composite coupons and for the ultrasonic non-destructive evaluation of defects is described as an new example of this technology. The benefits of these standards for the quality control of the information and their role in its conservation are briefly described. (paper)