Specific Rules for Each Type of Object

The object-oriented approach enables the user to define within the model what the different parts of the model really represent and to establish the rules and restrictions connected to each type of object. In this way the tools to build and change the Product Information Model include check functions in order to ensure correct design and to produce a design that is easy to manufacture. For example, the pipe modelling functions can check the practical capabilities to bend a particular pipe in the shipyard pipe bending machines. The system is able to distinguish pipes from other items that may physically look like pipes. In order to interpret the model in an intelligent way, the 3D geometry definition is not sufficient; all of the object technical data as found in the Product Information Model is also needed.