SAMI 2013 • IEEE 11th International Symposium on Applied Machine Intelligence and Informatics • January 31 - February 2, 2013 • Herl’any,
Slovakia
Product Definition on Higher Level in Open PLM
Systems
László Horváth and Imre J. Rudas
Óbuda University, John von Neumann Faculty of Informatics, Institute of Applied Mathematics, Budapest, Hungary
horvath.laszlo@nik.uni-obuda.hu, rudas@uni-obuda.hu
Abstract—Product definition in space where objects are
represented in a single contextual model brought a new
thinking in work of engineers. This thinking is around the
intended interaction with processes those are available for
handling of objects in product modeling. Engineer defines a
contribution to modify a product model development of
which is result of contributions from various fields of
engineering. Essential question is that what level results of
human thinking process on objects can be applied as input
at the model development. The answer depends on
communication and representation capabilities of modeling
procedures. This paper introduces a new definition of
human interaction levels from the lowest to a proposed high
level allowing input also on lower level if necessary.
Increasing the level is the way towards intelligent product
definition procedures. The proposed high level method
realizes communication of awaited product characteristics
and features together with methods those are assigned to
fulfill these product characteristics and features. This paper
is a new contribution to the earlier published coordinated
request based product modeling (CRPM) methodology.
I. INTRODUCTION
Engineering activities are being concentrated in product
lifecycle management (PLM) systems where highly
integrated product models accommodate all product
information for product elements and structures, analysis
results, equipment, and process control programs, etc. [1].
Elements or influences of virtual and physical
environment of a PLM are also represented in current
product modeling [2]. The product model is object
oriented consisting of object classes, instances,
parameters, relationships of parameters, and procedures
for object handling in the represented area of engineering
objects. By now, this method is widely proven and
approved in industry especially where products are
complex and produced in many variants, and the
innovation cycle is inherently short [3]. One of the recent
efforts in PLM modeling is to include business processes.
Author of [15] proposes visualization and simulation tool
for P-Graph-based handling of workflows.
The classical style of engineering is drawing, geometric
construction, and specification. First period of computer
aided methods applied the same style by using of
computer based documentation tools in computer systems.
A long development of product model from the sixties to
these days went through numerous levels. The first
integrated idea was the product model in the International
Standard ISO 10303 [4]. This product model concept
grounded the PLM paradigm. An integrated solution
replaced the former partial and hard-to-interface computer
aided solutions. The level of communication among
978-1-4673-5929-0/13/$31.00 ©2013 IEEE
engineers and interaction between computer processes and
engineers is emerging with development of product
definition in product model. Chapter II of this paper
introduces a leveling of human interaction during product
model object definition. The full PLM process during the
lifecycle of a product is accessible by human dialogues for
information acquisition, human decision, and human
approval. This is necessary for human to be able to take
responsibility over results.
Chapter III of this paper introduces a new definition of
the engineering objective level of human interaction in
order to enhance communication with the recently
proposed Coordinated Request based Product Modeling
(CRPM) methodology [5]. Chapter IV places this level in
the currently applied PLM modeling and focuses on the
human communication with industrial PLM systems
through CRPM on the proposed level.
II. LEVELS OF HUMAN INTERACTION
Engineer contributes to a product by new objects
according to role, assigned task, or personal initiative [6].
PLM system includes object class definitions and receives
new class definition from the application environment [8].
The product model normally includes instances of these
objects. In accordance with the principle of object model,
objects, parameters, relationships, and procedures are
available to represent engineering objects [7]. The widely
approved engineering objects are features those place well
defined modification on product model [9]. Fig. 1
introduces a rough model of human contribution
communication in model development where contextual
abstract definitions are applied at the definition of a
product model which applies contextual feature structure.
This structure consists of abstract, instance or mixed
features. The proposed model relies upon previous
researches in modeling of human intent. In [10], authors
analyzed the process during which a human communicates
results of thinking with product feature generation
processes in PLM modeling of product. Starting from
result of this analysis, an intent model was conceptualized
in order to include important elements from this thinking
process in product model.
Human contribution communication during product
model development is divided into six sections (Fig. 1).
Model development must include any activity that serves
engineering activity during lifecycle of product. Activities
define and at the same time apply model information. In a
feature based product model, any contribution is initiated
by feature selection. Feature parameters are inherent or
task specific. Inherent engineering object feature
parameters need value definition while task specific
parameters and formulas in there are to be defined as new
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L. Horváth and I. J. Rudas • Product Definition on Higher Level in Open PLM Systems
features. New algorithms are defined for parameter
definition and referred in features. Features are placed in
structure. This structure is accessed for reordering of
feature sequence and deactivation of features. Features
also can be deleted with the need of repairing broken
contexts and constraints. Self adaptive characteristic of
product model is the sixth sector. New situation and event
activates relevant rule and reaction, respectively. For this
purpose, defining new rules and reactions is necessary.
The above sectors include all possible contributions in
arbitrary model development.
Contributions are included in the product model by
feature generation processes. In an object oriented
environment, contextual abstract definitions are available
in the PLM modeling. Feature, parameter, and feature
structure definitions are completed by threshold
knowledge in order to inform real time simulations about
obviously erroneous definitions.
Figure 1. Contributions and definitions
During the development of engineering methodology in
computer systems, various inputs were applied stacking
increasingly higher levels of product definitions. Most of
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these levels still exist in current product modeling
environments making higher or lover level of definitions
possible during lifecycle of a product. In Fig. 2, a new
leveling is introduced where higher levels substitute
human definitions on lower levels by generation of model
entities for lower levels or transferring these entities. The
latter method makes definition of lover level entities on
higher level possible. Interaction levels are contextual
according to the arrows in Fig. 2.
Interaction with the nine leveled system is initiated by
human or environment intervention. Environment
intervention comes from cooperating engineering or
sensor system connecting product modeling with other
virtual and physical environments, respectively.
Figure 2. Levels of human interaction in engineering object definition
Intelligent modeling level includes intelligent
computing based solutions on the product wide global
level. It is the future and this paper does not include it. On
engineering objective level engineering objectives are
SAMI 2013 • IEEE 11th International Symposium on Applied Machine Intelligence and Informatics • January 31 - February 2, 2013 • Herl’any, Slovakia

defined for knowledge driven product object definition by activated request. CRPM interacts with active knowledge
using of active knowledge level. Active knowledge is in and active execution levels and defines features on these
possession of capability for engineering objective based levels as it is explained in Fig 6.
feature definition in product model. Engineering objects
on the feature level are controlled by entities on the active
execution level. Because products consist of parts and
shape is to be represented in a mathematically correct
way, the solely applied boundary representation is
included in the following level. Boundary representation
is a topological structure here. Volume combination level
includes both combining volumes in a new single volume
and connection of volumes with or without degrees of
freedom. Geometry level includes non uniform rational b-
spline curve and surface definitions. These definitions are
organized by the boundary representation. Graphic level
means visualization of boundaries, their environment, and
animations. Documentation level includes engineering
drawing and other classical engineering media. It is
normally generated by using of higher level information.
Direct human defined documents can be transferred
through higher levels.

III. PRODUCT DEFINITION ON THE LEVEL OF

ENGINEERING OBJECTIVES
Engineering objective level of contextual interaction for
the definition of product supposes active knowledge and
execution levels in order to establish contextual
connection with the engineering object feature level.
Because main definition method for current PLM models
is on the engineering object feature level with some
representation for active knowledge and its execution,
active knowledge and execution levels connect the
proposed objective level interaction with interaction in
industrial PLM systems. At the same time, the proposed
definition on engineering objective level requires great
advancement on active knowledge and execution levels.
For these purposes, the recently proposed Coordinated
Request based Product Modeling (CRPM) methodology
[5] was developed to establish the chain of contextual
interaction levels.
Referring to levels on the Fig.2, the proposed CRPM
model makes new interaction on the engineering objective
level (Fig. 3). However, it also has effect on the active
knowledge and active execution levels. On the
engineering objective level, request is defined for
engineering objective. Requests from different engineers
are placed in a structure then coordinated and activated
requests are decided. An activated request is one of the
requests for the same product function or may be
composed using different requests. If contextual
connections allow it, a feature and its parameter in a
request may be defined later during product definition.
This means that restricted free feature definition is
available in PLM modeling human interaction. Figure 3. CRPM and related levels of human interactions.

In the CRPM communication process, activated
requests definitions are applied for definition of product
behavior as it introduced in [11]. Behaviors are placed in
contextual structure. Because behavior is situation based,
situation is defined for behavior by a relevant set of
circumstances [12]. Behavior definition is applied at
definition of engineering objects on the feature level. For
this model modification adaptive action carries
information. Consequence analysis is required to reveal
consequence request or change of existing request on the
basis of changes on the engineering object feature level by
The CRPM model uses and CRPM model definition
handles new and modified features in the product model
structure. Fig. 4 outlines inherent contextual connections
of these features. This schema of contexts gives organized
characteristic for the proposed modeling. Contextual
connections are denoted on arrows and arrows shows
direction of the contextual connection. Objective (OJ) and
method (ME) are defined in the context of human request
(HR). At the same time, quality (QU) represents demand
for objective and depends on capability of method.
Method can be changed only by changed human request.

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L. Horváth and I. J. Rudas • Product Definition on Higher Level in Open PLM Systems

Similarly, function (FU) is defined in the context of

objective and capability of method. Behavior (BH) is
defined in the context of situation (SI) while situation is in
contextual connection with circumstances. Adaptive
action (AA) is defined in the context of behavior while
engineering object feature (MF) and its parameters (PF)
are defined according to actual adaptive action. Feature is
defined in the context of its parameters (PF).

Figure 4. Main contextual connections of features in the CRPM

model.

IV. HUMAN INTERACTION USING CRPM

METHODOLOGY
In the CRPM methodology, human interaction is shifted
to a higher level on the way towards intelligent product
definition in PLM systems. Processing of human request
defined during this interaction is briefed in Fig. 5.
Different humans define requests. Let’s assume that
requests HRA, HRB and HRC are defined by humans A, B,
and C, respectively. Two activated requests are produced
by request coordination. HRA and HRC are defined for
functions to choose from. HRA is defined as one of the
activated requests (ARA). Qualities QUA and QUC are
integrated in the quality QUAC. HRB is defined as ARB
with modification of method MEB to MEB+O because this
method must be completed from outside source. Activated
requests are included in the contextual structure of
activated objective contents. Contextual connections are
applied as it was explained in Fig. 4.
On the way towards intelligent product definition in
PLM systems the CRPM methodology relies upon
knowledge which is defined for the generation of
engineering object features. Fig 6 outlines integration in
the product model and at the same time connection of the
knowledge applied in CRPM methodology to lower levels
of human interaction in engineering object definition.
Figure 5. Processing human request.
Human defines knowledge in request as method (ME)
initiated by environment or human intervention on the
engineering objective level. Method is defined on the
active knowledge level in the context of definitions on the
engineering objective level. It is important to remember
availability of flexible and user definable tools in the PLM
environment such as full human dialog and modification
of context that does not break threshold knowledge.
Critical issue is knowledge definition and application.
Currently one of the main research and development
directions in product modeling is including proven
accepted corporate knowledge in product model.
Introducing the recent issue of knowledge capitalization
for the solving of industrial problems, [13] proposes a
definition and mapping of knowledge from the aspect of

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SAMI 2013 • IEEE 11th International Symposium on Applied Machine Intelligence and Informatics • January 31 - February 2, 2013 • Herl’any, Slovakia
expert. More or less experts work on the same problem
complex in an integrated product modeling environment.
An interesting attempt to handle multiple expert inputs
during knowledge learning applies Bayesian Network to
establish and empirical information to parameterize a
structure in [14].
Figure 6. Knowledge definition.
Knowledge is assigned at the proposed objective based
modeling method as follows. Knowledge is allowed to
define by human and environment according to
authorization. Otherwise, knowledge should be acquired.
Recently, knowledge is collected in corporate type
knowledge ware and can be included both inside and
outside a product model according to scope of its
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application. Outside source is often applied for available
knowledge within expert and other agreements. Finally,
knowledge can be ordered to define by experts and
researchers within the model development spaces on the
basis of solution request. Solution request is defined
within method (ME).
Active execution level serves generation of features for
the engineering object feature level. Well proven methods
are cited in the Fig. 6 as connecting selected feature
parameters by relationships, rules for situations, reactions
for events. For the above purposes parameters and
formulas to calculate parameter values or connect
parameters are defined as required.
The next stage of the reported research is definition of
the new features, connections, and procedures for typical
engineering activities at typical product definitions. First
of all, request dialogues and the resulted feature
parameters will be analyzed in an experimental PLM
environment. This environment is under construction for
the new PLM2 virtual engineering technology at the
Laboratory of Intelligent Engineering Systems.
V. CONCLUSIONS
Three main contributions are introduced in this paper to
currently existing advanced product modeling in PLM
systems. They are rough model of human contribution for
the definition of a product feature structure, contextual
interaction levels for influencing humans, and application
of the CRPM methodology for the connection of
engineering objective and engineering object feature
levels. The objective of the reported work was analysis
and definition of interacting levels together with research
in definition of knowledge based methods for handling
information on and between interacting levels in industrial
PLM modeling.
New aspects and features of CRPM modeling are
conceptualized in this paper considering recent
developments of product modeling in PLM systems. Main
contextual connections of features in the CRPM model are
applied at the method of processing human request and
knowledge definition.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial
support by the Óbuda University research fund.
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