Semantic requirements for an integrated bill of materials syste

Abstract

The primary goal of the research is to address the semantic requirements for an integrated bill of material system. The research starts by studying the knowledge that needs to be incorporated in Bill of Materials (BOM). The focus here is to identify the knowledge that can be addressed by BOM to meet the industry's information requirements pertaining to product design, product manufacturing, and marketing of the product. However, the information addressed by a BOM varies at different stages of design and manufacturing of the product. Integration of the various BOMs is needed to cement the gap between the design engineer, the manufacturing engineer, the production manager, and other technical people involved in the design and manufacture of the product. In this research we take the position that "integration" is an issue that must be addressed on a semantic level first. Fast changing needs and competition in the global market place have raised the awareness of the importance of integration and automation in the management of manufacturing systems. Integration of the various types of BOM will help expedite the production process, provide better inventory control ( and hence lower production costs), facilitate better control over the flow of material on the shop floor, and ensure good customer support.