The focus of this paper is the applicability of SysML for modelling certain aspects of both, mechatronic systems and the corresponding engineering processes. SysML is derived from UML, which was developed for software engineering, with the intention to support the engineering of technical systems in general. Although the usefulness of UML is widely confirmed in the software context, the use of SysML in the more hardware oriented engineering domains and in Mechatronics is still an open issue.

Mechatronic relevant applications have their focus on automation and software issues, mechanical and electrical hardware aspects, however, are rarely addressed. In an ongoing research project with industry the authors study the potentials of SysML to make the engineering of such systems more structured, better documented and, hence, more transparent.

In SysML is nearly exclusively studied for the development of new systems. Its application for product improvement or design modification because of changing customer requirements is scarcely reported. In the following sections the authors will focus on these topics, first on mechanical sub-systems since this is seen most critical, and in future on overall mechatronic systems.