A Metamodel for the Manufacturing Process Information Modeling

Since the manufacturing process information and their mutual relationship are complex and diverse, the clear and accurate description and modeling of manufacturing process information is a challenge in related study of manufacturing process. Considering the diversity of the process data, a four-layer framework for manufacturing process information modeling based on metamodel is proposed. A 4-tuple manufacturing process information metamodel is specified and the concepts and relationships of the manufacturing process information are represented by UML. Following the four-layer hierarchical modeling procedures in the framework, manufacturing process information can be modeled from metamodel to model in consistence with their data relationships and representations. An instance of information model regarding to machining process is developed for verification. This work provides a systematic and standardized modeling method and information expression mechanism for manufacturing process information modeling.