Integrated engineering processes in virtual product definition

In currently applied product definition, product lifecycle management (PLM) systems apply integrated object modeling for contextual development of products in model space. In order to elevate this object level of integration to the level of knowledge, a new product modeling method is proposed. On the knowledge level of modeling, human makes attempt for model change by launching product objects accompanied with knowledge objects or by launching knowledge objects for generation of new product objects. Requested model changes are coordinated on the basis of human and product aspects. When an attempt gains permission to execute, an adaptive action entity is generated to replace direct human control of creation or modification of product objects. In this paper, current knowledge based features of product modeling systems are characterized. A new knowledge based product definition method by the authors is introduced and its integration with the currently applied object modeling is explained. Following this, the currently applied direct and expert knowledge based product definition methods are compared with the proposed indirect product definition. Finally, consistency and context as two main advantages of the new modeling are introduced and discussed.