Integration and Knowledge Management Platform for Concurrent Engineering

In this paper an integration approach is introduced that supports the interrelation of the distributed product model across tools boundaries using knowledge representation concepts like the Resource Description Framework (RDF). The product model stays “inside” the models of the used tools. This reduces the integration costs. The interrelated product model defines a network representing knowledge about the product/system that is under development. This network can be interpreted as a semantic network. With this approach product data can be linked to knowledge management tools, which are also based on a semantic network knowledge representation. A system architecture for cooperative development of the knowledge oriented product model is introduced combining Product Lifecycle and Knowledge Management technologies.