Knowledge management support for machine tool designers using expert enablers

A set of methods and tools for the knowledge-based design (KBD) of machine tools is described. This paper presents a method to capture and formalize engineering knowledge and a set of software applications for 'knowledge-based engineering (KBE), including product data management, design processes management, design documents management and automatic rule-based geometry generation. The aim of these tools is to solve the main problems that are facing machinery companies regarding design knowledge: the long learning process for new employees, loss of collective knowledge and experience, poor management of engineering knowledge and lack of agreed company standards and procedures for design.