This paper deals with the collaborative design of electromagnetic devices over the internet network. The design is made by both mechanical and electrical engineers. So, the paper tries to show the importance but also constraints to size such a system using a collaborative optimisation process.
The paper compares two approaches in order to size an electromechanical actuator between mechanical and electrical engineers. In the first one, each profession designs its part, and only common constrained are negotiated. This can result in a design process with many iterations. In the second one, electrical and mechanical engineers built together a common model of the structure and a common list of specifications: this allows a global optimisation that is more efficient.
The main result of the paper is that the second approach in which a global model is built between electrical and mechanical engineers is more efficient.
The originality of the paper is to explore the problems and difficulties of an optimisation of an electromechanical device between engineers of different culture working together over the internet network.
