Development of a mechanism for ontology-based product lifecycle knowledge integration

Compared with relying on the efforts of various enterprises collaborating on product lifecycle activities, such as coordination, communication and control, the ability to effectively share product information and knowledge is more important. Therefore, how to best integrate such heterogeneous product knowledge distributed among various cooperating enterprises has become an extremely important knowledge management subjects associated with collaborative product lifecycle.This study develops a novel mechanism for integrating ontology-based product lifecycle knowledge to effectively integrate the heterogeneous product knowledge distributed among different enterprises during a product’s lifecycle, thereby facilitating sharing of this product knowledge. This study: (i) designed an integration and sharing process for collaborative product lifecycle knowledge, (ii) developed techniques associated with integration of ontology-based product lifecycle knowledge, and (iii) implemented an integration and sharing mechanism for ontology-based product lifecycle knowledge. In developing techniques associated with integration of ontology-based product lifecycle knowledge, which involves establishing a product lifecycle ontology, designing local ontology schema, designing an integration algorithm for ontology-based product lifecycle knowledge, and designing a searching method for ontology-based product lifecycle knowledge.     

Ontology-based data integration and decision support for product e-Design

Currently, computer-based support tools are widely used to facilitate the design process and have the potential to reduce design time, decrease product cost and enhance product quality. Although there are promising information systems to manage product lifecycle and product-related data, including product data management (PDM) and product lifecycle management (PLM), significant limitations still exist, where information required to make decisions may not be available, may be lacking consistency, and may not be expressed in a general way for sharing between systems. Moreover, there remains little support for decision making that considers multiple complex technical and economical criteria, relations, and objectives in product design. To address these problems, this paper presents a framework for an ontology-based data integration and decision support environment for e-Design. The framework can guide designers in the design process, can make recommendations, and can provide decision support for parameter adjustments.     

A hypernetwork-based approach to collaborative retrieval and reasoning of engineering design knowledge

Complex product development increasingly entails creation and sharing of design knowledge in a collaborative and integrated working environment. In this context, it has become a central issue to address the multifaceted feature of design knowledge for such a collaborative knowledge sharing scheme. This paper proposes a hypernetwork-based approach to explicitly capturing the relationships between various elements in a multifaceted knowledge representation. Specifically, a knowledge hypernetwork model is constructed, which is composed of a designer network, a product network, an issue network and a knowledge unit network. The relationships between various nodes from different networks are identified and defined according to specific node properties. In addition, topological characteristics of the hypernetwork structure are analyzed together with the statistical indicators. Based on this model, the Bayesian approach is adopted to conduct the collaborative reasoning process whereby knowledge elements relevant to the current design task are recommended according to the issues to be resolved and the current design context. A case study conducted in this work shows that the proposed approach is effective in capturing the complex relationships between multi-faceted knowledge elements and enables collaborative retrieval and reasoning of knowledge records.     

Knowledge sharing in virtual enterprises via an ontology-based access control approach

Collaborating throughout a product life cycle via virtual enterprise (VE) is one of the most promising strategies for enhancing global competitiveness. Efficient and secure knowledge sharing is critical to the success of a VE. This study presents a novel approach, model and technology for knowledge access control and sharing across enterprises. First, this study proposes an ontology-based knowledge sharing model and a multiple-layer knowledge representation framework on which a knowledge access control model for knowledge sharing in a VE is proposed. In the proposed model, user authorizations permitting access to knowledge in a VE are classified into two levels: (1) basic privileges and (2) extended privileges. The former is evaluated from four dimensions, i.e. who, what, when and where, while the latter is determined by considering how three domain ontologies, i.e., product, organization and activity, are related. This study then develops a knowledge access control policy (KACP) language model which is used to identify the knowledge access control and sharing rules of a VE and all its enterprise members. The knowledge access control model proposed in this study can facilitate VE Knowledge management and sharing across enterprises, enhance knowledge sharing security and flexibility and regulate knowledge sharing to expeditiously reflect changes in the business environment.     

Knowledge-based integrated product design framework towards sustainable low-carbon manufacturing

With a global challenge on the serious ecological problems, low-carbon manufacturing aiming to reduce carbon emission and resource consumption is gaining the ever-increasing attention. Due to the significant impact on the product lifecycle, low-carbon product design is considered as an effective and attractive approach to improve the eco-market trade-off of electromechanical products. Existing low-carbon product design approaches focus on solving specific low-carbon problems, and how to explore and navigate the integrative design space considering low-carbon and knowledge in a holistic perspective is rarely discussed. In response, this paper proposes a knowledge-based integrated product design framework to support low-carbon product development. An ontology-based knowledge modelling approach is put forward to represent the multidisciplinary design knowledge to facilitate knowledge sharing and integration. Subsequently, a function–structure synthesis approach based on case-based reasoning is presented to narrow down the design space to generate suitable design solutions for achieving desired functions. A multi-objective mathematical model is established, and the multi-objective particle swarm optimization is adopted to solve the low-carbon product optimization. Furthermore, a decision-making ranking approach based on the closeness degree is employed to prioritize the potential solutions from Pareto set. Finally, a case study of low-carbon product design of hydraulic machine is demonstrated to show the effectiveness.     

A collaborative system for capturing and reusing in-context design knowledge with an integrated representation model

Current research on design knowledge capture and reuse has predominantly focused on either the codification view of knowledge or the personalisation view of knowledge, resulting in a failure to address designers’ knowledge needs caused by a lack of context of information and insufficient computational support. Precisely motivated by this gap, this work aims to address the integration of these two views into a complete, contextual and trustworthy knowledge management scheme enabled by the emerging collaborative technologies. Specifically, a knowledge model is developed to represent an integrated knowledge space, which can combine geometric model, knowledge-based analysis codes and problem-solving strategies and processes. On this basis, a smart collaborative system is also designed and developed to streamline the design process as well as to facilitate knowledge capture, retrieval and reuse as users with different roles are working on various tasks within this process. An engineering case study is undertaken to demonstrate the idea of collaborative knowledge creation and sharing and evaluate the effectiveness of the knowledge representation model and the collaborative technologies employed. As evidenced in the development and evaluation, the methods proposed are effective for capturing an integrated knowledge space and the collaborative knowledge management system not only facilitates problem-solving using knowledge-based analysis but also supplies in-context tacit knowledge captured from the communications between users throughout the design process.     

面向数字化系统互操作的知识表示技术研究

复杂产品多学科协同设计需求的增长,对产品设计的协同环境和功能互操作提出了更高的要求,为了解决异构系统间信息共享问题,采用基于本体的知识表示方法来对数字化系统进行知识的描述。针对数字化系统互操作的需求,结合数字化系统互操作的信息模型与功能模型,提出了一种基于OWL-S的支持互操作的知识表示方法,并在此基础上实现了原型系统。     

Context-driven ontology-based risk identification for onshore wind farm projects: A domain-specific approach

Risk identification is a knowledge-based process that requires the time-consuming and laborious identification of project-specific risk factors. Current practices for risk identification in construction rely heavily on an expert’s subjective knowledge of the current project and of similar historical projects to determine if a risk may affect the project under study. When quantitative risk-related data are available, they are often stored across multiple sources and in different types of documents complicating data sharing and reuse. The present study introduces an ontology-based approach for construction risk identification that maps and automates the representation of project context and risk information, thereby enhancing the storage, sharing, and reuse of knowledge for the purpose of risk identification. The study also presents a novel wind farm construction project risk ontology that has been validated by a group of industry experts. The resulting ontology-based risk identification approach is able to accommodate project context in the risk identification process and, through implementation of the proposed approach, has identified risk factors that affect the construction of onshore wind farm projects.     

Research on an active knowledge push service based on collaborative intent capture

The quality of a knowledge service influences the quality, efficiency and innovation of product conceptual design. Existing approaches lack intelligence and individuation when providing a knowledge retrieval service via rules and cases. In this paper, we propose a framework of an active knowledge service based on collaborative intent capture to assist product conceptual design. First, a collaborative intent capture model is constructed through the study of the expression and capture of collaborative intent; second, a framework and a process of active knowledge push based on collaborative intent capture are designed after analyzing the method of knowledge resources acquisition based on the constraint satisfaction theory. Finally, match algorithms for text content are studied. Based on the above research achievements, a prototype system of a collaborative design and active knowledge service platform (C-AKSP) has been developed for providing a knowledge service and assisting product conceptual design. An example, the conceptual design of a machine tool spindle system, is used to validate the proposed theories for the model, the framework and the algorithm. As a result, C-AKSP can provide a superior knowledge service that meets the designer's knowledge needs.     

Semantic Web based innovative design knowledge modeling for collaborative design

This paper describes a study about how to use the Semantic Web technologies for innovative design knowledge modeling in a multi-agent distributed design environment. Semantic Web based knowledge modeling for innovative design is proposed as prelude to the meaningful agent communication and knowledge reuse for collaborative work among multidisciplinary organizations. A model for innovative design is proposed at first, based on which a knowledge schema is brought forward. For sharing the design knowledge among an internet-based or distributed work team, even globally, A RDF-based knowledge model is presented to realize its representation on Semantic Web. A Semantic Web based repository for innovative design and its API for topper Semantic Web applications have been also constructed. The proposed knowledge modeling extends traditional product modeling with capabilities of innovative design, knowledge sharing and distributed problem solving, and is employed as a content language within the messages in the proposed multi-agent system architecture. The proposed approach is viewed as a promising knowledge management method that facilitates the implementation of computer supported cooperative work in innovative design of Semantic Web applications.     

Development of a computer-aided concurrent net shape product and process development environment

This paper presents a systematic approach to developing a collaborative environment for computer-aided concurrent net shape product and process development. This approach includes the steps of (1) conventional development process analysis, (2) development process re-engineering, (3) computer-based system functional requirements analysis, (4) system framework design, and (5) system modeling, integration and implementation. This environment can support concurrent net shape product and process development by providing and integrating functions of product data management, process management and development advisory tools. The results of this research will facilitate the rationalization and automation of net shape product and process development and thus improve the efficiency and quality, and reduce the cost of net shape product development.

IDEF structural analysis methodology was employed to capture the characteristics of net shape product and process development process. The concept of concurrent engineering was used to re-engineer the development process. The technology of system engineering was used to design the computer-aided system framework. Object-oriented analysis, modeling and design methodology, knowledge engineering and data engineering techniques were employed for system modeling and implementation.     

An ontology-based support for product conceptual design

The research presented in this paper is a follow-up of our prior work involving the development of a graphical modeling tool to support designers at the conceptual design stage. To close the loop for supporting designers in generating design concepts flexibly, fast, and easily, an ontology-based approach for knowledge management that works along with the graphical modeling tool is discussed. Ontology and databases for the tool are developed to promote the systematic capture of design knowledge and efficient reuse of the design knowledge selection. In order to locate the proper information and query the data from the databases, the relationship between the ontology and databases, the data analysis process, ontology enrichment, and the ontology-based query engine are built to offer users multiple design results according to users’ requirements. A tire design example is presented to demonstrate the proposed approach. The ontology-based method described in this paper can help retrieve and save the complex relations, support the reasoning, integrate heterogeneous data resources and offer users more accurate, proper and comprehensive data.     

On technology for functional requirement-based reference design retrieval in engineering knowledge management

Engineering design is a knowledge-intensive process, and includes conceptual design, detailed design, engineering analysis, assembly design, process design, and performance evaluation. Each of these tasks involves various aspects of technical knowledge and experience. Whether this technical knowledge and experience can be effectively shared is key to increasing product development capability and quality, and also to reducing the duration and cost of the development cycle. Consequently, providing engineering designers various query methods for retrieving engineering knowledge is one of the most important tasks in engineering knowledge management.The study develops a technology for functional requirement-based reference design retrieval as a decision support mechanism, which can assist engineering designers to retrieve relevant design and associated knowledge for reference in conducting functional requirements of a product. This study involves the following tasks: (i) designing a functional requirement-based reference design retrieval process, (ii) developing techniques related to the technology for functional requirement-based reference design retrieval, and (iii) implementing a functional requirement-based reference design retrieval mechanism. The retrieval process includes the steps of functional requirement-based query, case searching and matching, and case ranking. The technology involves (i) a structured query model for functional requirements, (ii) an index structures for historical design cases, (iii) functional requirement-based case searching and matching mechanisms, (iv) a functional requirement-based case ranking mechanism, and (v) a case-based representation of designed entities. Finally, the experimental example with indexing and retrieving similar designed entities is conducted to demonstrate the proposed techniques worked efficiently.     

A knowledge intensive multi-agent framework for cooperative/collaborative design modeling and decision support of assemblies

Multi-agent modeling has emerged as a promising discipline for dealing with decision making process in distributed information system applications. One of such applications is the modeling of distributed design or manufacturing processes which can link up various designs or manufacturing processes to form a virtual consortium on a global basis. This paper proposes a novel knowledge intensive multi-agent cooperative/collaborative framework for concurrent intelligent design and assembly planning, which integrates product design, design for assembly, assembly planning, assembly system design, and assembly simulation subjected to econo-technical evaluations. An AI protocol based method is proposed to facilitate the integration of intelligent agents for assembly design, planning, evaluation and simulation process. A unified class of knowledge intensive Petri nets is defined using the O-O knowledge-based Petri net approach and used as an AI protocol for handling both the integration and the negotiation problems among multi-agents. The detailed cooperative/collaborative mechanism and algorithms are given based on the knowledge objects cooperation formalisms. As such, the assembly-oriented design system can easily be implemented under the multi-agent-based knowledge-intensive Petri net framework with concurrent integration of multiple cooperative knowledge sources and software. Thus, product design and assembly planning can be carried out simultaneously and intelligently in an entirely computer-aided concurrent design and assembly planning system.     

Past, present and future of information and knowledge sharing in the construction industry: Towards semantic service-based e-construction?

The paper reviews product data technology initiatives in the construction sector and provides a synthesis of related ICT industry needs. A comparison between (a) the data centric characteristics of Product Data Technology (PDT) and (b) ontology with a focus on semantics, is given, highlighting the pros and cons of each approach. The paper advocates the migration from data-centric application integration to ontology-based business process support, and proposes inter-enterprise collaboration architectures and frameworks based on semantic services, underpinned by ontology-based knowledge structures. The paper discusses the main reasons behind the low industry take up of product data technology, and proposes a preliminary roadmap for the wide industry diffusion of the proposed approach. In this respect, the paper stresses the value of adopting alliance-based modes of operation.     

Development of technology for customer requirement-based reference design retrieval

Engineering design is a knowledge-intensive process, and includes conceptual design, detailed design, engineering analysis, assembly design, process design, and performance evaluation. Each task involves various aspects of knowledge and experience. Whether this knowledge and experience can be effectively shared is key to increasing product development capability and quality, and also to reducing the duration and cost of the development cycle. Therefore, offering engineering designers various query methods for retrieving engineering knowledge is one of the most important tasks in engineering knowledge management.The study develops a technology for customer requirement-based reference design retrieval to provide engineering designers with easy access to relevant design and associated knowledge. The tasks involved in this research include (i) designing a customer requirement-based reference design retrieval process, (ii) developing techniques related to the technology for customer requirement-based reference design retrieval, and (iii) implementing a customer requirement-based reference design retrieval mechanism. The retrieval process comprises the steps of customer requirement-based query, case searching and matching, and case ranking. The technology involves (1) a structured query model for customer requirement, (2) an index structure for historical design cases, (3) customer requirement-based case searching and matching mechanisms, (4) a customer requirement-based case ranking mechanism, and (5) a case-based representation of designed entities.     

Towards improving usage and management of supplies in healthcare: An ontology-based solution for sharing knowledge

The goal of this work is to contribute to an improvement in the management and usage of medical items in hospitals by developing an ontology-driven solution that organizes and describes clearly related knowledge. Experts in the purchasing and management of hospital supplies (administrative and clinical) were invited to participate at different stages of the ontology-based system development. As a result of the first stage, the HealthCatalog ontology was developed. This ontology models generic items included in a health catalog and their management. Secondly, a further refinement of the ontology was conducted by specifically studying the case of gloves. Twenty-seven references of different glove types were modeled and included in the ontology during the stage two. A prototype was then developed as a proof of concept and for the evaluation of the ontology. Finally, a usability evaluation was planned to improve the ontology and obtain feedback from experts after testing the system. Experts involved in the evaluation stressed its potential use in a real clinical environment and the benefits it would bring in terms of cost and sharing knowledge among clinical personnel. Our proposed ontology-based system provides an understandable and organized solution to capture knowledge regarding item management and usage. It addresses the integration challenge of health catalogs while providing a framework for collaborative sharing and knowledge acquisition among clinicians.     

Developing a distributed knowledge model for knowledge management in collaborative development and implementation of an enterprise system

Recently, enterprise systems have been extensively adopted to boost enterprise competitiveness. The development and implementation of enterprise systems is a knowledge intensive procedure, being related to enterprise processes and involving information, system and software engineering technologies. Consequently, knowledge management is required to enhance the effectiveness of enterprise system development and implementation, thus helping to increase industrial competitiveness.This study aims to develop a distributed knowledge model for knowledge management, capable of supporting the collaborative development and implementation of enterprise systems. This objective can be obtained by performing the following tasks: (1) modeling and characterization of the collaborative development and implementation process, (2) identification, analysis and modeling of involved knowledge, and (3) development of a distributed knowledge model for knowledge management related to the collaborative development and implementation of enterprise systems.     

An approach to user knowledge acquisition in product design

As the world increasingly moves towards a knowledge-based economy, user requirements become an important factor for enterprises to drive product collaborative design evolution. To map user requirements to the product model, user requirements are generally extracted into knowledge that can be used for design decisions. However, because users are interest-driven participants and not professional design engineers, the effect of user knowledge acquisition is not ideal. There are significant challenges for rapid knowledge acquisition with dynamic user requirements. This paper presents an approach to user knowledge acquisition in the product design process, which obtains the tangible requirements of users under the premise that users are adequate for participation. In this approach, the typical information flow is divided into four stages: submission, interaction, knowledge discovery, and model evolution. In the submission stage, natural language processing technology is used to transform text form solutions into data, so that computer technology can be applied to manage large-scale user requirements. In the interaction stage, users are helped to improve their solutions by the iterative recommendation process. In the knowledge discovery stage, after less concerned partial solutions are removed and vacant items are predicted to be supplemented, the final collection of user design information is obtained. Finally, based on rough set theory, design knowledge can be extracted to support the decision of the product model. The washing machine design project is used as a case study to explain the implementation of the proposed approach.     

基于网络的协同知识管理系统(NCKMS)研究

技术创新的需要和网络信息技术的发展,使基于网络的知识集成、知识交流和共享变得非常必要和可行。文章介绍了作者开发的基于网络的协同知识管理系统(NCKMS,NetworkedCollaborativeKnowledgeManagementSystem),介绍了系统的功能设计、体系结构及系统开发中的关键技术。该系统为分散异地的企业员工和客户的知识交流和共享提供了有力的工具。