Abstract
Keywords:
KBE, FEA, product definition, process automation, design methodology, collaboration.
Abstract:
The use of KBE as a tool within the engineering product development environment has long since been accepted as a means of automating manual repetitive tasks using knowledge representation via the use of rules. KBE systems have surpassed the code oriented expert systems to incorporate further levels of definition that are more representative and familiar to the engineer, most notably the representation of component geometry. The development of KBE as a modeling tool and design methodology has provided an object oriented capability that provides levels of definition for the modeling of real world concepts and relationships. The realization that engineering is a multi-disciplined activity has spurred many companies involved in KBE tool development to focus and develop a collaborative and integrative capability that provides for a multi-disciplined engineering environment. These collaborative and integrative capabilities provide the framework for an environment that is adaptable and extensible to further changes in the organization.