Embedding design structures in engineering information.

StrEmbed-4 demonstrates how a design structure, for example “as designed”, typically using a computer aided design (CAD) system can be embedded on to a corresponding hypercube lattice. This embedding relationship can be shown visually with this software. Any combinations or permutations of an alternative design structure is also embedded in this hypercube lattice. Modified design structure can be exported to a data format that can be read by a CAD system. A lattice is a partially ordered set (poset) which is equivalent to a corresponding universal algebra. This algebra has a number of useful mathematical properties that allow generation of alternative design structures for other stages of product life cycle, inter alia, “as manufactured” and “as maintained”.