Overview
ISO 17599:2015 - Technical product documentation (TPD) - General requirements of digital mock-up for mechanical products defines requirements for creating, classifying, modelling, reviewing, applying, and managing digital mock-up (DMU) across the product lifecycle. Targeted at mechanical products, the standard explains how DMUs should be composed (geometry, constraints, engineering attributes), built (parts, assemblies, simulations), simplified, reviewed and controlled for use in design, manufacturing, marketing and aftermarket activities.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Classification of DMU: by development stage, purpose, and data format (e.g., complete, subsystem, special‑purpose).
- Composition: mandatory elements such as geometric information, constraint definitions and engineering attributes.
- Model requirements: rules for complete, subsystem, scheme, detailed, manufacturing, geometry, function, performance, special‑purpose and retrofit DMUs.
- DMU building: principles for part and assembly modelling, simulation modelling, coordinate systems, part identification, colouring/texture rendering and model state management.
- Simplification & lightweight models: guidance on when and how to simplify models for performance or IP protection.
- Management: lifecycle management, data management, and configuration management (aligns with ISO 10007).
- Review process: objectives, materials, reviewer roles, review contents, reporting, and recheck after review.
- Application requirements: specific uses and expectations for design, manufacture, marketing and aftermarket stages.
Practical Applications
ISO 17599:2015 is practical for teams that rely on digital representations of mechanical products:
- Mechanical and CAD engineers - for standardized DMU creation and clearer design intent.
- PLM/PDM managers & configuration managers - to implement consistent data and lifecycle management.
- Simulation and manufacturing engineers - to ensure models support interference checks, motion analysis, performance and manufacturing simulation.
- Technical documentation and training teams - to prepare models for marketing, technical training and maintenance planning.
- Review boards and quality teams - to establish formal review and acceptance procedures.
Benefits include improved interoperability, consistent model quality, clearer downstream use (manufacturing, aftermarket), reduced rework, and better traceability of DMU revisions.
Related Standards
- ISO 10007:2003 - Quality management systems - Guidelines for configuration management
- ISO 11442 - Technical product documentation - Document management
- ISO 16792:2006 - Technical product documentation - Digital product definition data practices
Developed by ISO/TC 10 (Technical product documentation), Subcommittee SC 6 (Mechanical engineering documentation).
Keywords: ISO 17599:2015, digital mock-up, DMU, technical product documentation, mechanical products, CAD, PLM, configuration management, model review.