A semantic approach based on ontologies to support engineering knowledge retention and exchange in the product assembly design and training domains

This research presents a semantic approach using ontologies to share knowledge and exchange product assembly knowledge at the semantic level in the two categories of domains: product assembly design domain and assembly training domains. Along with ontologies and CAD design/training tools, a typical engineering knowledge lifecycle for exchange and retention can be characterized by the following five key activities: knowledge modeling, knowledge acquisition, knowledge integration, knowledge retrieval and presentation, and knowledge maintenance.;Knowledge modeling is based on logic-based models called ontologies. Knowledge acquisition is initiated by allowing exchanges and informal interactions between the participants and then instantiates concepts in the ontologies. For knowledge integration, we present an approach based on a shared ontology, in which a higher level of ontologies are shared among lower levels of ontologies. Key mapping strategies, such as Equivalency, Attribute Similarity, Composition Similarity, and Inheritance Similarity are defined to map concepts and properties defined in the domains.;Next, the knowledge can be retrieved and presented in the engineering tools. When presented, ontologies provide an opportunity to capture and manage common data and map concepts from one application to another in a logical and measured manner. A simple computer-based training (CBT) approach allows traditional keyboard and mouse interactions while a complex VR-based immersive training (IMT) approach provides an immersive virtual environment for more realistic experiences. Even though applications for each approach are developed completely independently, there is consequently much duplication of data and a lack of synchronization between them. Therefore, we focus on an integrated approach with support from ontologies to address this problem.;Finally, knowledge maintenance is facilitated by allowing new information that is added either through the online community or to the tools to be propagated to the other. We present an approach to build a semantic online community, CREEK (Community for Retention and Exchange of Engineering Knowledge), to facilitate numerous activities of an engineering knowledge lifecycle in a coordinated manner. The online community is specifically focused on the procedural knowledge domain related to engineering product assembly and the target audience is a spectrum of engineers ranging from experts to newer and relatively inexperienced engineers.