Data from machine operation is an important source for product-relevant quality aspects. The integration of machine data into the digital product life cycle processes enables the improvement of products, systems and processes. In product development in particular, future machine generations can be engineered being more adapted to the requirements for operation issues during use phase, enabled by product and machine data inspection and analysis. In this paper, we propose a comprehensive and generic reference data model called Field Data Model (FDM), organising well-structured product and machine data. The FDM is part of Product Lifecylce Management (PLM), enabling data integration from heterogeneous data sources like PDM, machine control systems and machine-related sensors. The FDM is part of a Field Data Management System (FDMS) that is used to automatically set up and organize Field Objects (FO), representing – real or virtual – machines or machine components of special interest to machine manufacturers or machine operators.