Conceptual and detailed design knowledge management in customized production – Industrial perspective

Abstract

Abstract The current market situation forces companies that deal with small scale, dedicated production to meet the needs and demands of their customers quickly. Usually, the products must be designed to fulfil a certain set of requirements. Additional conditions necessary to meet are also the limitations resulting from law regulations related to environmental, safety, maintenance and recycling matters. The imposed requirements are very often contradictory. In such cases the design process is an attempt to find a rational compromise. Fulfilling all the above-mentioned conditions is very difficult, especially for small companies. As the result, engineers have to take into consideration a much wider scope of tasks and responsibilities which are related to different areas of knowledge. Knowledge of a particular area is not always mastered to the extent that allows them to move freely within it. In such situations engineers are willing to use personal knowledge and experiments as the basic sources of design information. The exchange of opinions, joint evaluation of concepts and detailed solutions, as well as long-term and short-term close teamwork are also often observed. Public tools to support the indicated processes did not fully meet the team's requirements. The authors introduce a proposal for an application that supports the solving of this class problem based on modelled, acquired and stored knowledge. The work presents the characteristics and range of supported engineering processes. Next, the concept and the construction of the software, as well as its functioning using real examples, which derive from industrial practice, are presented. Highlights Manufacturers of industrial equipment must be flexible in relation to customer requirements. Designers need to take into account a much wider range of knowledge than in the past. Engineers are willing to use techniques such as re-use and modification. The aim of work is to create software solutions that will streamline the design phase. The authors create an environment where knowledge and its development is the main aspect.