Configuration knowledge modeling of customizable products based on semantic web technologies

In order to solve the problem of modeling product configuration knowledge at the semantic level to successfully implement the mass customization strategy, an approach of ontology-based configuration knowledge modeling, combining semantic web technologies, was proposed. A general configuration ontology was developed to provide a common concept structure for modeling configuration knowledge and rules of specific product domains. The OWL web ontology language and semantic web rule language （SWRL） were used to formally represent the configuration ontology, domain configuration knowledge and rules to enhance the consistency, maintainability and reusability of all the configuration knowledge. The configuration knowledge modeling of a customizable personal computer family shows that the approach can provide explicit, computerunderstandable knowledge semantics for specific product configuration domains and can efficiently support automatic configuration tasks of complex products.

CASE-BASED PRODUCT CONFIGURATION AND REUSE IN MASS CUSTOMIZATION

The increasing complexity and size of configuration knowledge bases requres the provisionof advanced methods supporting the development of the actual configuration process and design reuse.A new framework to find a feasible and practical product configuration method is presented in masscustomization. The basic idea of the appoach is to integrate case-based reasoning (CBR) with a con-straint satisfaction problem(CSP). The similarity measure between a crisp and range is also given,which is common in case retrieves. Based on the configuration model, a product platform and customerneeds, case adaptation is carried out with the repair-based algorithm. Lastly, the methodology in theelevator configuration design domain is tested.

Extended Object Model for Product Configuration Design

This paper presents an extended object model for case-based reasoning （CBR） in product configuration design. In the extended object model, a few methods of knowledge expression are adopted, such as constraints, rules, objects, etc. On the basis of extended object model, case representation model for CBR is applied to product configuration design system. The product configuration knowledge can be represented by the extended object. The model can support all the processes of CBR in product configuration design, such as case representation, indexing, retrieving, and case revising. The presented model is an extension of the traditional object-oriented model by including the relationship class used to express the relation between the cases, constraints class used in the product configuration knowledge representation, index class used in ease retrieving, and solution class used in case revising. Therefore, the product configuration knowledge used in the product configuration design can be represented by using this model. In the end, a metering pump product configuration design system is developed on the basis of the proposed product configuration model to support customized products.

TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATION OF PRODUCT EVOLUTIONARY DESIGN BASED ON CONFIGURATION IN MASS CUSTOMIZATION MODE

Product customization has been recognized as an effective means to implement mass cus-tomization （MC）. A new theory and method for MC-oriented evolutionary design of configuration product is presented based on the study of developing law of evolutionary design in integrated envi-ronment, which focuses on the innovation and reuse properties of configuration product. The key technologies for general requirement modeling in quick response to customer requirement, multi-level stepwise configuration optimization driven by customer requirement and evolutionary deduction of product variable structure based on configuration association are thoroughly investigated. The suc-cessful application of the presented method in the development of real-life products demonstrates its utility, flexibility and robusticity.

REQUIREMENT PRODUCT CONFIGURATION IN MASS CUSTOMIZATION

On the basis of researching on requirement product configuration in mass customization, the concept of product family requirement class （PFRC） and requirement-matching template are put forward. A case-based requirement product configuration （CB-RPC） model and corresponding requirement product model are established. The result of requirement product configuration is obtained by using the method of two-level similar matching. In addition, the effect of the method on requirement responding is analyzed. Finally, the model and the method given are applied in elevator industry, and have improved the enterorise＇s ability of rapid responding to customer＇s reouirements.

Reconfigurable Modeling Technology of Similar-structure Products Configuration Design

The product configuration modeling is a key technology to realize configuration design. Most of the researches were mainly conducted focusing on how to establish a product configuration model, but were short of the consideration about the application scope and dynamic change features. In this paper, the reconfigurable modeling technology of similar-structure products configuration design is studied to enhance the generality and diversity of product configuration models, and to facilitate the dynamic upgrade of configuration models. The configuration components of products with similar structures are divided into sharable configuration components, essential configuration components and optional configuration components, so the construction of reconfigurable model of configuration design can be converted into the set operation of configuration components. The horizontal adjusting reconstruction of configuration model is carried out through the adding, replacing and deleting of configuration components, the vertical adjusting reconstruction of configuration model is carried out through the parametric deformation of configuration components, and the variable topological configuration model reconstruction can be realized through the transformation of partial structure of configuration components. Finally, NC machine products are used as an example to analyze and verify the reconfigurable modeling technology of products with similar structures. The speed of NC machine configuration design is found to be improved, and the number of NC machine configuration design models is decreased. And the reconfigurable design system of NC machine products is developed. The proposed modeling technology provides references for the processes, methods and steps of model reconstruction.

Research on Web-Based Product Structure and Configuration Management

An enhanced system architecture of Web-based product structure and configuration management system along with its, functions are is presented. The key techniques, such as construction of object models of product structure and product configuration, hybrid approach method in product configuration management, sharing and integration of heterogeneous product data, integration with other sub-systems, are discussed too. A prototype system is developed by J2EE technology.

A Case Retrieval Projection Pursuit Model for Configuration Design of a Product Family

The paper studies on case-based reasoning of uncertain product attributes in configuration design of a product family. Interval numbers characterize uncertain product attributes. By interpolating a number of certain values randomly to replace interval numbers and making projection pursuit analysis on source cases and target cases of expanded numbers, we can get a projection value in the optimal projection direction. Based on projection value, we can construct a case retrieval model of projection pursuit that can handle coexisting certain and uncertain product attributes. The application examples of chainsaw configuration design show that case retrieval is highly sensitive to reliable results.

Research on customer-oriented product configuration technology of aircraft

Due to the defects of current aircraft product configuration technology, such as the gap between product design and cus- tomers＇ requirements, the low configuration efficiency and etc. a customer-oriented product configuration solution of aircraft was proposed in this paper. Basing on a deep investigation into the market and the structure of the aircraft, this paper proposed a method of dividing and creating the aircraft options, in which we set up optional constraints to meet the demand of configuration and then optimized the constraint algorithm. This work can help to realize the optimum association between the aircraft options and modules. Basing on a research on customer demand, The paper established a customer demand model and a mapping relationship which exists between customer demand and aircraft options, It can also help to make a great contribution to build customer personalized demand of the aircraft configuration orocess and the aircraft confimiration library.

Disassemblability Modeling Technology of Configurable Product Based on Disassembly Constraint Relation Weighted Design Structure Matrix(DSM)

The current research of configurable product disassemblability focuses on disassemblability evaluation and disassembly sequence planning. Little work has been done on quantitative analysis of configurable product disassemblability. The disassemblability modeling technology for configurable product based on disassembly constraint relation weighted design structure matrix （DSM） is proposed. Major factors affecting the disassemblability of configurable product are analyzed, and the disassembling degrees between components in configurable product are obtained by calculating disassembly entropies such as joint type, joint quantity, disassembly path, disassembly accessibility and material compatibility. The disassembly constraint relation weighted DSM of configurable product is constructed and configuration modules are formed by matrix decomposition and tearing operations. The disassembly constraint relation in configuration modules is strong coupling, and the disassembly constraint relation between modules is weak coupling, and the disassemblability configuration model is constructed based on configuration module. Finally, taking a hydraulic forging press as an example, the decomposed weak coupling components are used as configuration modules alone, components with a strong coupling are aggregated into configuration modules, and the disassembly sequence of components inside configuration modules is optimized by tearing operation. A disassemblability configuration model of the hydraulic forging press is constructed. By researching the disassemblability modeling technology of product configuration design based on disassembly constraint relation weighted DSM, the disassembly property in maintenance, recycling and reuse of configurable product are optimized.

A version management model of PDM system and its realization

Based on the key function of version management in PDM system, this paper discusses the function and the realization of version management and the transitions of version states with a workflow. A directed aeyclic graph is used to describe a version model. Three storage modes of the directed acyelic graph version model in the database, the bumping block and the PDM working memory are presented and the conversion principle of these three modes is given. The study indicates that building a dynamic product structure configuration model based on versions is the key to resolve the problem. Thus a version model of single product object is built. Then the version management model in product structure configuration is built and the application of version management of PDM syster is presented as a case.

Key Techniques for the Development of Web-Based PDM System

Some key techniques for the development of web-based product data management （PDM） system are introduced. The four-tiered B/S architecture of a PDM system-BITPDM is introduced first, followed by its design and implementation, including virtual data vault, flexible coding system, document management, product structure and configuration management, workflow/process and product maturity management. BITPDM can facilitate the activities from new product introduction phase to manufacturing, and manage the product data andtheir dynamic changing history. Based on Microsoft. NET, XML, web service and SOAP techniques, BITPDM realizes the integration and efficient management of product information.

Product Customer Demand Mining and Its Functional Attribute Configuration Driven by Big Data

The maturity of big data analysis theory and its tools improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of massive data mining.This paper discusses the method of product customer demand mining based on big data,and further studies the configuration of product function attributes.Firstly,the Hadoop platform was used to perform product attribute data participle and feature word extraction based on Apriori algorithm was used to mine product customer demand information.And then the MapReduce model on the big data platform was applied into efficient parallel data processing,obtaining product attributes with research value,and their weights and attribute levels.After that,the cloud model and the MNL model were employed to construct the product function attribute configuration model,and the improved artificial bee colony algorithm was used to solve the model.The optimal solution of the product function attribute configuration model was got.Finally,an example was given to illustrate the feasibility of the proposed method in this paper.