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Information models for the representation of product data are being developed as an international standard. However, the current application protocols focus on the representation of homogeneous objects only. This paper suggests an information model to represent heterogeneous objects using the information modeling methodology developed for ISO 10303. The data planning model is then extended to represent the two‐dimensional (2D) slice information using concepts from ISO 10303. The proposed formats are validated by physical realization of objects on two LM machines. This information model will help in providing a uniform base in the development of heterogeneous solid modeling systems. It will also equip the solid modeler with the ability to integrate with other applications and process planning in the domain of layered manufacturing.

The new set of standards ISO 10303 “STEP” makes it possible to give a complete representation of a product, using the description language EXPRESS. A part of STEP is devoted to the finite element analysis. This paper presents a brief overview of the architecture and the methodology of STEP and EXPRESS, with special attention to the part concerning the finite element analysis. The possibility to use it in modelling electromagnetic phenomena will be discussed. An example showing the description of a typical problem in electromagnetism will be implemented using EXPRESS.

The purpose of this paper is to describe aspects of content sharing within e‐maintenance, with a view to merging the two areas of maintenance and ICT in a content management perspective.

The approach is an explorative literature study covering aspects of ICT. The analysis is founded on theories related to maintenance and maintenance support. The conclusions of the study are corroborated by experiences from earlier software development and testing.

Most existing contributions to the e‐maintenance debate seem to suffer from too wide a gap between data processing and knowledge management. This tendency can be due to too great a focus on data collection, without any clear identification of the stakeholders' requirements. Hence, a mature e‐maintenance solution should focus on the enhancement of service‐oriented information logistics based on content sharing for an output‐based information strategy.

This study focuses on the needs of content format and transformation content, which includes data format, data structures and data type for objects that are relevant for the maintenance process. Hence, further research could include aspects of infrastructure and service architecture, which are on a higher level of an e‐maintenance solution.

The paper contributes with knowledge that supports decisions about content format in the development of an e‐maintenance solution. This can in turn support a reduction of maintenance‐related hazards through the improved use of ICT.

This paper describes the importance of content management within the e‐maintenance approach. Hence, the paper has implications for both practitioners and researchers as described above.

Recent developments in global commerce have witnessed the advent of the virtual enterprise#. Groups of companies are forming short‐term relationships to collaborate on one‐off projects. Typically these enterprises form a consortium to bid for a project for which they do not have the capability of winning as individual concerns. In order that the virtual enterprise operates effectively the systems which underpin the separate enterprises must be capable of interoperation#. One means of achieving this is by the adoption of suitable international approved standards. Addresses this issue by considering the requirements placed on standards activities for the support of virtual enterprises. Then proposes a means by which current standards can be classified and scoped within an overall framework. Considers the various approaches taken within these standards activities and proposes some strategies for future development.

The purpose of this paper is to present research work based on the authors’ conceptual framework reported in the VRAP Conference 2013. It is related with an efficient method to obtain an optimal part build orientation for additive manufacturing (AM) by using AM features with associated AM production knowledge and multi-attribute decision-making (MADM). The paper also emphasizes the importance of AM feature and the implied AM knowledge in AM process planning.

To solve the orientation problem in AM, two sub-tasks, the generation of a set of alternative orientations and the identification of an optimal one within the generated list, should be accomplished. In this paper, AM feature is defined and associated with AM production knowledge to be used for generating a set of alternative orientations. Key attributes for the decision-making of the orientation problem are then identified and used to represent those generated orientations. Finally, an integrated MADM model is adopted to find out the optimal orientation among the generated alternative orientations.

The proposed method to find out an optimal part build orientation for those parts with simple or medium complex geometric shapes is reasonable and efficient. It also has the potential to deal with more complex parts with cellular or porous structures in a short time by using high-performance computers.

The proposed method is a proof-of-concept. There is a need to investigate AM feature types and the association with related AM production knowledge further so as to suite the context of orientating parts with more complex geometric features. There are also research opportunities for developing more advanced algorithms to recognize AM features and generate alternative orientations and refine alternative orientations.

AM feature is defined and introduced to the orientation problem in AM for generating the alternative orientations. It is also used as one of the key attributes for decision-making so as to help express production requirements on specific geometric features of a desired part.

The purpose of this paper is to study the barriers to institutionalize the product lifecycle management (PLM) in large manufacturing organizations. The paper explores the hurdles and identifies the causal barriers to support the organizations’ transformation into digitized firms.

The paper utilized the multi-criteria decision making technique, i.e., DEMATEL (DEcision MAking Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) method to find the causal barriers, and adopted maximum mean de-entropy (MMDE) algorithm to determine the threshold value based on the information entropy of the relations among the barriers to PLM institutionalization.

This study explored nine barriers to PLM institutionalization and empirically identified the four critical barriers among the nine.

The present work is exploratory case-based research which is limited to a case of an Indian aircraft manufacturing firm with a limited number of respondents. More sophisticated statistical tools can be utilized to consider the subjectivity of the respondents. However, this research explores the various hurdles to PLM success and serves as a relevant outcome to identify the critical barriers to institutionalize the PLM concept.

The findings of the paper provide guidelines to the case company and similar firms for obtaining maximum benefits of PLM. The methodology shown in this paper will be useful to various large scale industries in identifying the critical barriers to PLM institutionalization among all existing barriers so that they can take appropriate measures before they proceed to adopt PLM.

The present work discusses the different reasons for which the companies are not able to derive the maximum benefits of PLM even after the implementation of PLM systems. This work uniquely applied the DEMATEL and MMDE methods to investigate the critical barriers to PLM institutionalization in an aircraft manufacturing firm.

This paper aims to propose a method to automate the tolerance analyses of mechanical assembly using STandard for the Exchange of Product model data-Application Protocol Part 242 (STEP AP 242) files derived from the 3-D computer-aided design (CAD) models.

Product manufacturing information and mating information available in ISO 10303 STEP AP242 files resulting from the 3-D CAD model of mechanical assembly are extracted. The extracted geometric attributes, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and mating information are used to automatically generate assembly graph and mating edges required for the tolerance analyses of the mechanical assembly by using the matrix approach.

The feasibility of the proposed method is verified through two mechanical assembly case studies. The results of manual calculations and tolerance values computed by the automated method are very closely matching.

Tolerance analysis is an integral part of product development that directly influences the cost and performance of a product. Apart from the academic interest, the work is expected to have positive implications for the digital design and smart manufacturing industry that involve in the development of solutions for automation of design and manufacturing system functions.

The approach presented in the paper that aids the automation of tolerance analyses of mechanical assembly is an innovative application of the STEP AP 242 file. The automation of tolerance analyses would improve the productivity and efficiency of the product realization process.

The AIC Research Group at the University of Salford has been involved in a government‐funded project that has resulted in the development of an integrated multi‐user distributed construction project database through the implementation of next‐generation Internet technology together with Product Data Technology ‐ WISPER. The objective of the project was to develop a working system capable of demonstrating the future direction of information integration with the project partners' businesses. This paper presents the development of the specification application that aims to demonstrate the potential for such technologies to enhance the specification process, enabling design elements to be specified directly from a building product database Web site.

The chapter deals with the promotion of competitiveness of national producers as compared to the main leaders in the industry.

The system management of the process of creating and mastering the production of a new product is based on effective change management, development of organizational and technical management systems, business-to-business interaction systems, business solutions relating to product creation in the industry. Systemization of problems and identification of ways of development of theory and methodology of creation of a new product by the domestic manufacturing companies can be performed by means of implementation of continuous acquisition and life cycle support (CALS) systems.

Today, the fundamental conceptual basis for the formation of information space of an enterprise and application of miscellaneous information systems is the concept of continuous information support of products throughout the entire life cycle – CALS. According to this concept, one can single out the following major objectives which are essential for an enterprise and can be achieved through information technologies: the automation of production management which was conventionally achieved through the use of MICS systems, and today it is achieved due to the use of the so-called ERP/CRM/SCM systems; product data management and automation of design and engineering analysis of structures and processes (PDM/PLM, CAD/CAM/CAE-system); information support of operation and aftersales service, integrated logistic support of products. The information technologies at the present stage are a prerequisite for achieving a competitive advantage by an enterprise, particularly if the enterprise is specialized in the production of high-technology products. The major purpose of information technologies at the enterprise is the maximum effective support of design processes, production processes and other processes running at the enterprise, creation of the information basis which enables the management to take decisions which help the enterprise to achieve a dominant position in the industry sector. For Russian companies, the problem of implementation and effective employment of CALS-technologies as a means of cardinal improvement in quality and competitiveness of science-intensive products, discussed in the chapter, is extremely topical.

For many companies, the employment of these technologies largely determines the ability to survive in the context of an intensifying competitive struggle in the domestic market and can be considered as an indispensable condition for maintaining and expanding the sales of products on the international market.