Research on the framework based on web service and ontology for sharing parts library in virtual enterprise

Virtual enterprise has been a topic of increasing interests in recent years meanwhile parts library sharing among participant enterprises has become a challenge. This paper analyzes its two demands: one is dynamic and open; the other is the share of domain knowledge. Based on these requirements, it proposes a framework for sharing parts library in virtual enterprise. The framework uses Web service technologies to implement the first requirement and ontology technologies to achieve the second one. The analysis indicates that it can improve the flexibility and maintainability of the share of parts library among collaborating members and facilitate the rapid development of product to meet the market demands. At last, an example of parts library description in OWL is given.