Title: Development of a knowledge-based feedback assistance system of product use information for product improvement

Authors: Susanne Dienst; Madjid Fathi; Michael Abramovici; Andreas Lindner

Addresses: Institute of Knowledge Based Systems and Knowledge Management, University of Siegen, Hölderlinstrasse 3, D-57068 Siegen, Germany ' Institute of Knowledge Based Systems and Knowledge Management, University of Siegen, Hölderlinstrasse 3, D-57068 Siegen, Germany ' Information Technology in Mechanical Engineering (ITM), Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, D-44780 Bochum, Germany ' Information Technology in Mechanical Engineering (ITM), Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, D-44780 Bochum, Germany

Abstract: Due to technological advancement, an increase in creating and storing digital data can be observed today, for instance throughout the product life cycle. Through especially product use, a large number of data are created. The data are mainly used during the product use phase (e.g. condition-based maintenance). However, those data can be used as feedback to generate knowledge and support the product developer through improving future product generations. This paper presents development and prototypical realisation of a feedback assistance system for the management, analysis and visualisation of feedback data. The system supports a product developer by improving the process of decision-making to discover development potentials. Thereupon, four modules have been developed to analyse related indicators statistically and to diagnose machine failures. The obtained knowledge about the current condition of machines should then be deployed to improve the next machine generations utilising the modules for decision support and prediction.

Keywords: feedback assistance; product use information; data mining; product improvement; product LCM; life cycle management; data warehouse; dashboard; Bayesian networks; centrifugal pumps; decision making; knowledge-based feedback; product development; machine failure; fault diagnosis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2014.063027

International Journal of Product Development, 2014 Vol.19 No.4, pp.191 - 210

Accepted: 19 Nov 2013
Published online: 23 Oct 2014 *

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