Title: The structure and implementation of a distributed integrated information system for product design

Authors: S.Q. Zhou, K.S. Shin, Y.B. Xie, Yarlagadda Prasad K.D.V.

Addresses: School of Mech. Mfg. and Medical Eng., Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia. Department of Manufacturing Engineering & Engineering Management, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Hong Kong. Theory of Lubrication and Bearing Institute, Xian Jiaotong University, Xian, Shaanxi 710049, People's Republic of China. School of Mech. Mfg. and Medical Eng., Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia.

Abstract: To overcome the limitations of commercial CAD and the handbook form of knowledge, a distributed integrated information system (DIIS) for product design is proposed. The structure of DIIS and the key issues of its implementation are introduced; and the method of storing and transferring data in DIIS is discussed. The mechanism on knowledge represented, stored and acquired quickly in DIIS, which is based on the internet, was achieved. Based on the concepts of function driven knowledge, connected artificial neural networks and active server pages, the trained ANN was migrated into the DIIS system, and a new method for retrieving knowledge in DIIS on the internet is achieved. Finally, a prototype of DIIS is proposed to demonstrate the feasibility of the structure and constructional method. This paper provides a scheme for acquiring knowledge quickly and shortening the cycle of product development.

Keywords: database; integration; internet; knowledge acquisition; STEP.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.2003.000340

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 2003 Vol.17 No.3, pp.129-138

Published online: 16 Jul 2003 *

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