Anantha Narayanan

OntoSTEP: Enriching product model data using ontologies

The representation and management of product lifecycle information is critical to any manufacturing organization. Different modeling languages are used at different lifecycle stages, for example STEPs EXPRESS may be used at a detailed design stage, while UML may be used for initial design stages. It is necessary to consolidate product information created using these different languages to build a coherent knowledge base. In this paper, we present an approach to enable the translation of STEP schema and its instances to Ontology Web Language (OWL). This gives a model-which we call OntoSTEP-that can easily be integrated with any OWL ontologies to create a semantically rich model. As an example, we combine geometry information represented in STEP with non-geometry information, such as function and behavior, represented using the NISTs Core Product Model (CPM). A plug-in for Protege is developed to automate the different steps of the translation. As additional benefits, reasoning, inference procedures, and queries can be performed on enriched legacy CAD models. We describe the rules for the translation from EXPRESS to OWL, and illustrate the benefits of OWL translation with an example. We will also describe how these mapping rules can be implemented through meta-model based transformations, which can be used to map other languages to OWL.

Towards a domain-specific framework for predictive analytics in manufacturing

Data analytics is proving to be very useful for achieving productivity gains in manufacturing. Predictive analytics (using advanced machine learning) is particularly valuable in manufacturing, as it leads to production improvement with respect to the cost, quantity, quality and sustainability of manufactured products by anticipating changes to the manufacturing system states. Many small and medium manufacturers do not have the infrastructure, technical capability or financial means to take advantage of predictive analytics. A domain-specific language and framework for performing predictive analytics for manufacturing and production frameworks can counter this deficiency. In this paper, we survey some of the applications of predictive analytics in manufacturing and we discuss the challenges that need to be addressed. Then, we propose a core set of abstractions and a domain-specific framework for applying predictive analytics on manufacturing applications. Such a framework will allow manufacturers to take advantage of predictive analytics to improve their production.

Sustainable Manufacturing: Metrics, Standards, and Infrastructure - Workshop summary

This report summarizes the presentations, discussions, and recommendations of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Workshop “Sustainable Manufacturing: Metrics, Standards, and Infrastructure” held at NIST, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA, October 13 through October 15, 2009. The primary objective of this Workshop was to bring together experts and various stakeholders to identify and discuss measurement and standards enablers that positively affect the social, economic, environmental, and technological aspects of designing sustainable production processes and products. The Workshop was well attended and consisted of thirty presentations organized under five sessions: 1) Government Initiatives; 2) Industry Perspectives; 3) University Research; 4) Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) research; and 5) Solution Providers Views. Two breakout sessions and an industry panel provided a set of recommendations for addressing critical issues in sustainable manufacturing.

Towards a Methodology for Analyzing Sustainability Standards using the Zachman Framework

There exists a multitude of standards and regulations related to sustainability. It is critical to enable users to identify applicable standards across entire lifecycles of products, processes, and services. To synthesize this variety of standards, it is important to analyze them from the information modeling point of view, while incorporating the requirements of various stakeholders. Here, we propose such a multi-perspective approach based on the Zachman framework. Using this approach it is possible to identify gaps and overlaps, harmonize, and develop implementation strategies for sustainability standards. We then introduce our case study results as part of the Sustainability Standards Portal.

An Information Modeling Methodology for Sustainability Standards

Standards and regulations are developed and introduced in the market to meet the needs of specific domains. As standards are usually developed by experts within a particular domain, the modeling requirements necessary to represent the information associated with these standards are often not well understood. The lack of clear understanding of information requirements creates an environment where information models can become difficult to produce from standards, and the criteria for complying with these standards may be obscure. The variety of challenges encountered in codifying standards using information models necessitates a carefully devised methodology that takes all areas of the whole enterprise into consideration. This paper presents a methodology for the development of information models to complement and support standards based on the Zachman framework for enterprise architecture. In this paper, we will discuss some of the challenges encountered in modeling information for standards and regulations related to sustainability, and subsequently describe how our approach can be used to address these challenges. We will illustrate our approach by developing an example information model to support RoHS (Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment). This work could lead to the development of software tools and environments for computer aided standards development. Finally, we discuss the advantages and drawbacks of our methodology.Copyright

Communicating standards through structured terminology

We present an informatics approach to synthesize and classify terminology as defined in standards. Traditional document style standards and dictionary style definitions are very limiting when it comes to getting a holistic picture of the application of standards and regulations. We focus on standards for sustainable manufacturing, but the approach is not limited to this domain. By studying the structure and relationships within those standards we developed a schema for representing and relating standards to each other. We then used that schema as a basis for visualization and querying, which enables interactive and intuitive perusal of the material. We develop a framework for categorizing and presenting terminology in standards.We develop a schema for classifying terminology from sustainable manufacturing standards.We develop a visualization and query mechanism for this information.This framework will allow non-experts to easily understand standards content.The interactive interface will allow non-experts to find and use specific information that is harder to find when browsing document standards.

An Approach for Identifying Gaps and Overlaps in Standards to Determine Product Applicability

Standards and regulations have become an important part of today’s society. Organizational and geographical dispersions often create situations where manufacturers are forced to meet various standards for a product to reach expanded markets or improve branding. In this paper we propose an approach that provides stakeholders with the means to harmonize a set of standards by identifying similarities and differences between their coverage. Using an analysis approach based on the Zachman framework, we are able to identify both overlaps and gaps that may transpire when analyzing multiple standards associated with a single product domain. To demonstrate our approach, we apply it to a subset of electronics-related sustainability standards. The results are sets of terms that can be used to define the gaps and overlaps between three standards: RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive), WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronics Equipment Directive), and IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) P1680. We then discuss some of the challenges encountered when analyzing these standards. Finally, we briefly discuss the potential for an expanded approach that could assist in the development of domain models and ultimately help identify necessary actions in business processes that will lead to additional standard compliance.Copyright

An information classification system for life cycle and manufacturing standards

Sustainable manufacturing aims to increase efficiency and offset negative impacts throughout the life cycle of products. A myriad of standards pertaining to various aspects of a products life cycle exist; however, it is often difficult for non-experts to navigate and comprehend these standards. The objective of this paper is to describe a classification system for capturing the requirements, concepts and terminology from those standards at the intersection of life cycle and manufacturing process domains. The classification is implemented as an ontology using the Web Ontology Language (OWL). We then use an ontology visualization tool we have developed, to help users navigate and understand the information in these standards more easily. Such an ontology can support life cycle assessment activities or sustainability decision-making in the life cycle stages, such as replacing energy consuming processes and equipment with sustainable practices. In addition, the ontology can support the development of new life cycle and manufacturing standards. The ontology provides a holistic picture of the requirements to enrich comprehension of and compliance to the growing number of sustainable manufacturing standards.

IDENTIFYING THE MATERIAL INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SUSTAINABLE DECISION MAKING

Materials play a central role in product manufacturing, contributing to each phase of product development in the form of either a component or process material. As the product revolves around materials, so does much of the product information. Material information plays a significant role in the decision making process at any stage of the product life cycle, especially with respect to the sustainability of a product. Material information in the manufacturing stages of a product’s life cycle will relate to the processes used in manufacturing and assembling individual components. The material properties may determine what processes can be used and how these processes should be controlled. To support sustainable manufacturing, the impacts of material choice should be considered during design, when resources are being committed. When comparing material alternatives at design time, it is not as simple as saying one material is “more sustainable” than another. Many different factors determine the sustainability of a product, and each of these factors may be influenced by multiple material properties represented through various information requirements. In order to develop a material information model that can satisfy these information requirements, we need to carefully study the requirements from an information modeling perspective. In this paper, we use activity models to describe design and manufacturing scenarios that rely on the availability of proper material information for sustainability decision making. We will use these models to first define specific scenarios and then to identify the types of material information that is typically required in these scenarios, and collect and categorize key concepts. Based on this study, we will make recommendations that will aid the development of a useful material information model for sustainable decision making.

Sustainability through Lifecycle Synthesis of Material Information

The synthesis of material information across lifecycle stages will lay the foundation for a material information model to support sustainable decision making. This paper explores how material information is represented in select standards that address product and process information at different lifecycle stages. We discuss some of the challenges in synthesizing information between these standards, and explore the use of ontologies as a means to create and manage material information across a lifecycle. We discuss the potential benefits of fully synthesizing material information across the lifecycle, and the potential applications of a material information model that possesses this capability.