Architecture Information Context in a Design For Manufacturing (DFM) Framework

This paper presents an analysis of the DFM information demands/requirements and how they could be handled in a framework of this domain. The latest trends as well as both theoretical and technological research advances pose challenges used in the representation of information used by the framework components of this domain. Currently, the main approaches vary from a simple format to an information architecture such as STEP or runtime representation. These aspects, while useful in many cases, are only and mostly focused on data. This limits their flexibility, which is one of the main reasons to use frameworks, especially computer-based ones. Instead, this work proposes the use of a more complete information handling approach based on ontologies. The ontology-based information architecture and its usage in a DFM framework is introduced. Its completeness and usage are important, relevant and complete so it shall be increased in the future when the relatively simple traditional information format becomes obsolete. Along with information architecture and its implementation, the chosen prototype DFM components and architectural aspects requirements are outlined.