Title: How closed-loop PLM improves Knowledge Management over the complete product lifecycle and enables the factory of the future

Authors: Dimitris Kiritsis, Van Khai Nguyen, John Stark

Addresses: Laboratory for Computer-Aided Design and Production, EPFL 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. ' CADCAMation S.A., 103 route de Chancy, 1213 Onex, Switzerland. ' CADCAMation S.A., 103 route de Chancy, 1213 Onex, Switzerland

Abstract: The basic concepts of Knowledge Management and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) are described. Closed-loop PLM is introduced, highlighting the benefits of optimised knowledge flow and use in Beginning-of-Life, Middle-of-Life and End-of-Life. The PLM/Enterprise Resource Planning interface is often a barrier to the closed-loop knowledge flow needed for the factory of the future. Approaches to overcome this are described.

Keywords: beginning-of-life; BOL; closed-loop PLM; end-of-life; EOL; factory of the future; knowledge management; KM; middle-of-life; MOL; product data management; PDM; product embedded information device; PEID; product lifecycle management; PROMISE-PLM; STEP-NC; knowledge flow.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPLM.2008.019970

International Journal of Product Lifecycle Management, 2008 Vol.3 No.1, pp.54 - 77

Published online: 19 Aug 2008 *

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