Globalization, the scarcity of resources and climate change constantly raise new questions in the field of production engineering. One promising approach to the challenges involved is to reduce component weight with the aid of lightweight design. The integration of sensors and actuators made of "smart materials" into lightweight composites facilitates enhanced characteristics and functions such as ultra-lightweight design, superior dynamic properties, and structural health monitoring. This essay presents the strategy adopted by Collaborative Research Center/Transregio 39 "High-volume compatible production technologies for light metal and fiber composite-based components with integrated sensors and actuators" (PT-PIESA) in connection with research and development targeting the acquisition of the requisite scientific fundamentals. It also presents a concept for the holistic analysis of complex process chains for function-integrated lightweight components with embedded piezoceramic elements.