database computer field accordingly the term u201c link u201d is not limited to a physical link but rather denotes that two sets of data can logically relate to each other for example fmea data can be linked to part data or to a process step by associating the relevant fmea data with a part number or with a process step number in the preferred embodiment substantially all data sets are linked by a common process identifier in one or more distributed relational databases a non limiting advantage of such linkings is that a change in design data 36 flows automatically to the plant level which can impact data contained in financial data structure 64 another advantage is that due to the integration of production schedule data plant data and process sheet data work loads performed at plant stations can be optimized such that a proper number of people are staffed at each assembly or inspection station fig2 depicts the process flow for generating process sheet data and its use within the manufacturing system process sheet data module 98 generates process sheet data from graphics that were preferably created and stored in the catia cad cam computer aided design computer aided manufacturing system 100 the catia computer program is available from the following company dassault systems located in france part and torque data 104 is provided to process sheet data module 98 and is preferably generated from an electronic bill of materials tooling and cost information is provided by a equipment development description system 108 and weld data as preferably stored in the catia system is furnished at process block 112 process sheet data module 98 generates process sheet data that includes an assembling process specification i e steps to assemble a particular vehicle graphic markups which are used for associating.