Industrial product information definition using expert request modeling

This paper introduces a new method for knowledge based product modeling in industrial environment. It is supposed that engineering activities are realized in one of the industrial virtual environments where comprehensive modeling functionality is available for lifecycle management of product information. The proposed modeling is aimed to be an extension to conventional modeling functionality of industrial virtual environments in order to receive, coordinate, and process product modification requests by experts during object definition at development of products. Expert request includes intended modification on product description together with knowledge behind it. This knowledge facilitates application of product models and assists their redefinition for changed circumstances. This paper explains background, principle, process, and new product model entities for the proposed knowledge driven extension to currently prevailing product lifecycle management (PLM) methodology.