Moving Toward a Product Model to Manage Data, Information and Knowledge for Mechanical Design and Simulation

Abstract

Considering the current economic and industrial context, companies want to streamline and optimize their design processes, particularly in the upstream phases where the potential gains are the greatest [1]. Engineers have to use new knowledge management methods and tools in order to support a comprehensive PLM approach. In this paper, we propose a new product model called “KCModel” focused on interoperability issues and coherence between design and simulation models in the early phases of the mechanical design cycle. The large number of CAD models and simulation representations involved in these early phases increase the difficulty to share and maintain the coherence of design data related to different views of the product. The KC Model is based on data organization and product information as generic entities and configurations of critical knowledge [2]. The product model provides a framework to create a database of generic and cross-functional entities with other expert domains. These entities are then instantiated and contextualized into configurations. These configurations are organized into a hierarchical project structure to be directly connected and synchronized with the CAD models and simulation models. By securing the coherence and trace ability of the parameters, relationships and rules to be used, the KC Model optimizes the reliability of the design process during the early phases of the product/simulation couple, thereby reducing the number of engineering routine cycles. The model fits particularly well in a more comprehensive product model as the MD-MV [3] and achieves a high level of interoperability between the different components from the expert views.