RESEARCH ON COLLABORATIVE DESIGN SOFTWARE INTEGRATION BASED ON SOA

This paper analyzed the main features of product design and manufacturing in the knowledge management environment and service oriented management model based on collaborative. Based on the analysis of these two aspects, this paper puts forward the four key problems which the collaborative design activities in manufacturing supply chain will face in knowledge representation and knowledge converting and knowledge reuse and knowledge management. At last, a framework for collaborative product design(CPD) knowledge management model in manufacturing supply chain based on ontology is established under the application background of integrated platform for collaborative product design in manufacturing enterprise.

Among the well-known enterprise application software modules, product data management (PDM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) have played major roles in the design and production departments respectively. Among those, PDM helps design engineers to manage the product data and product development process, and ERP acts as the main tool for order, production and inventory related processes. There are a few duplicated functions among these systems such as BOM management. However, very few works addressed building a bridge among the systems. On the other hand, an agent-based approach has been applied in the collaboration of shop floor equipment for some time. Basically, each agent acts like a machine controller that can take charge of the respective equipment and communicate with other agents as well. This research applies similar concepts to bridge the gaps between PDM and ERP systems and to support the collaboration activities of the two systems. A three-stage framework was proposed to develop the agent-based collaboration system. In the concept stage, the modelling tools such as VAD and eEPC were used to capture collaboration requirements between PDM and ERP. In the design stage, a UML-based analysing method MaSE was used to develop the agent-based system. Also, an agent development tool ZEUS was used to generate agent code. Finally, in the implementation stage, a PDM/ERP collaboration system was developed to support the designer in making decisions about the replacement parts requirement analysis.

In the field of underground engineering, the construction model of two-dimensional design and decentralized management is no longer able to enhance the efficiency trend of multi-party collaboration and information management, nor can it meet the future demand for refined management and sustainable development of engineering construction. Therefore, this paper first summarizes and analyses the current development status of collaborative design platforms at home and abroad, and proposes a “cloud + terminal” overall technical architecture suitable for underground engineering collaborative design management. This architecture consists of a foundation layer, data layer, service layer, functional application layer, and user interaction layer. The functional modules of the platform also adopt microservice architecture design. In response to the shortcomings of model checking, an IFC component of the model checking module was designed based on an optimized multi view convolutional neural network algorithm to correct errors in the lowest level category information data. At the same time, technical routes were proposed around “three zone independence” and “problem positioning.” Developed a prototype platform with basic functions and applied it to the design process of a certain engineering project. By comparing with traditional design patterns, the results show that the collaborative platform proposed in this paper effectively improves work efficiency and achievement quality. Next, we will continue to expand the functions and application scenarios of the collaborative platform, providing strong support for improving the construction quality and efficiency of underground engineering throughout its entire life cycle.

In order to solve the consistency and integration about process and process data that is produced in digital product collaborative development, digital collaborative design process model is presented, by detailed analyzing the integration requirement of collaborative design process and data. Based on this model, the CAX/DFX tools which are used in collaborative design are distributed and granule encapsulated by Federal Intelligent Product EnviRonment(FIPER); collaborative design process data produced by CAX/DFX tools is encapsulated based on the logic of Product Data Management (PDM) system’s workflow and is published as Webservice. FIPER is used to realize the collaborative design process flow that uses data Webservice to data exchange between PDM and uses encapsulated CAX/DFX tools to realize the design function. An example which realizes the integration of process design flow of a part is presented at the end of this paper. The collaborative design process flow is used to organize the collaborative process planning and to encapsulate the collaborative design data with Webservice in this example. The realization of this example manifested that the digital collaborative design product model has good practicability and the method of encapsulation for CAX/DFX tools and data Webservice is feasibility.

This article discusses that many companies are installing a companywide product data management (PDM) system, also known as an engineering data management system. These systems do several things, besides acting as a central data repository. Much of the data that overwhelms companies comes from engineers using a variety of software applications, such as computer-aided design, manufacturing, or engineering programs. The PDM systems manage engineering data that may come from a myriad of sources and applications but pertain to the development of one product. The chosen PDM system would have to track the design and manufacture of each part that would be assembled to form the finished printer. It would have to tell users what stage in the process each part had reached. But it would also have to serve as a virtual warehouse for all digital versions of a part and product, including older versions that could not be lost because they might be needed for reference at any time.

A web-based collaborative product design platform for dispersed network manufacturing

After analyzing the requirement of large-scale equipment installation, both the functions and the faults of asynchronous collaborative design system and synchronous collaborative design system were discussed. And then, a combined collaborative design platform, which combined the product data management system with the synchronous collaborative design system, was proposed. A framework for the combined collaborative design platform was put forward. The product data management system and the synchronous collaborative design system were discussed in detail. And then, the strategies for sharing and exchanging of product data and information were presented. Operation steps of the combined collaborative platform were described in detail. Finally presented was a case study that using the combined collaborative design platform in electric dust collector installation.

Requirements and strategies for the retention of automotive product data

Enterprise modelling and system support

The issue of improving quality, costs and delays indicators in design and manufacturing is more relevant than ever in the industry. After lean manufacturing, well known in production process, the lean engineering approach is being implemented today in the field of design, taking the name of lean product development. The management of knowledge and know-how (existing, new or to be acquired) is the heart of lean engineering. In our suggested methodology this is implemented through a new generation of tools called Knowledge Configuration Management (KCM) and Knowledge Extraction Assistant (KEA). KCM tools are lean engineering components that provide analytical approach to knowledge management and knowledge-based engineering. These tools require a highly integrated approach that involves, for example, predefined geometrical parametric 3D models, such as CAD templates. But this approach cannot be deployed in all engineering sites. We propose to complete this KCM approach introducing a semantic network approach, coupling with Feature Identity Card (FIC). FIC contains a set of metadata and information existing in the Product Data Management (PDM), connected with information extracted from 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) models. It allows contextualizing information and ensures semantic connections, in order to manipulate the right parameters with mathematical algorithms. Those algorithms will search candidate relationships between design parameters extracted from CAD models. Our suggested approach aims at extracting knowledge in cases where design never came out of Knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) applications. In those situations, it seems important to complete classical knowledge management approach, and to find out the implicit knowledge embedded in 3D CAD models. This is achieved through a global approach, focusing on the product’s 3D definitions. We suggest introducing the latter approach by a suite of digital KEA tools (interfaced with KCM tools). Extracting knowledge from projects information stored in the Product Data Management does this. More precisely, the methodology is based on a commercial 3D similarity search tools for CAD models and on mathematical algorithms that search relationships between extracted design parameters. The goal is to submit new rules to the process and design experts. Implementing this methodology, a deeper knowledge of the product and its associated process can be acquired. This ensures a more productive and efficient design process.

An aircraft is a complex, multi-disciplinary, system-engineered product that requires real-time global technical collaboration through its life-cycle. Engineering data and processes which form the backbone of the aircraft should be under strict Configuration Control (CC). It should be model-based and allow for 3D visualization and manipulation. This requires accurate, realtime collaboration and concurrent engineering-based business processes operating in an Integrated Digital Environment (IDE). The IDE uses lightweight, neutral Computer Aided Design (CAD) Digital Mock-Up (DMU). The DMU deals with complex structural assemblies and systems of more than a hundred thousand parts created by engineers across the globe, each using diverse CAD, Computer Aided Engineering (CAE), Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM), Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Supply Chain Management(SCM),Customer Relationship Management(CRM) and Computer Aided Maintenance Management System (CAMMS) systems. In this paper, a comprehensive approach to making such an environment a reality is presented.

Conventional Product Data Management (PDM) supports aspects of information management but don’t promote the application of target oriented design methodologies like ‘Axiomatic Design’. For Manufacturing System Design PDM has to manage the actual targets, to direct a target-oriented procedure, and to manage objects for evaluation. Targets result from customers and manufacturers. The definition of ‘Functional Requirements’ and ‘Design Parameters’ has to be organized between different core competencies at different times and places. The goal is the configuration of a PDM framework supporting distributed collaborative manufacturing system design in a ‘Axiomatic Design’ oriented way. Based on an axiomatic approach, the implementation of this methodology in a distributed PDM framework is presented. For this, the necessary procedure and controls of ‘manufacturing system design’, information architecture and data interfaces to other software tools are considered and then the paper describes necessary metamodel.

Product data management (PDM) has proven its value as a critical tool in handling the enormous amounts of technical information companies generate. Now the PDM industry is applying this experience to more affordable systems targeted at smaller organizations. Several suppliers have entered the market with economical approaches aimed specifically at midsized companies. Many companies use PDM to eliminate inefficiencies in the engineering change process. Diebold, Inc. reduced engineering change cycle time by 30 percent through process automation with PDM. IBM is using PDM technology in product development for sharing data among groups, designing tools tightly coupled with release and change processes, interfacing with procurement and other services, and establishing real-time communication of data across the enterprise. Engineers increasingly are using PDM viewing features to track subsystems. Virtual-mockup capabilities enable engineers to import all the parts files for a product designed in Solid Edge, regardless of computer-aided design (CAD) vendor or file format.

Structural optimization with CADO method for a three-dimensional sheet-metal vehicle body

This investigation proposes the architecture for a collaborative assembly design to shorten the life cycle in product development stages. The architecture adopts STEP-based data representation and CAD feature extraction to enable the implementation of engineering change over the Internet. The collaborative design framework and design change propagation method, which are key to the proposed architecture, are discussed and implemented. The collaborative design approach can greatly shorten a product’s life cycle and improve the productivity of an enterprise.