Contextual model object definition in engineering

As one of the most important achievements during the last decade in product lifecycle management (PLM), contextual object definition became main integrating factor in product models. In this paper, the authors introduce their recent results in contextual product modeling. Four aspects of contextual product object definition are discussed and recent related results are introduced. The aspects are contextual nature of product information, organizing contextual definitions, embedding knowledge for contexts in product model, and new product model entities collaborating with usual PLM model entities. In this scenario, the results by the authors of this paper are introduced in close connection with their earlier published results. The purpose of the work was joining to efforts for higher intelligence in product modeling methodology considering current trends, recent research activities, and leading industrial product modeling technology.