Modelling manufacturing process information using EXPRESS

A critically important aspect of concurrent engineering is to ensure that the most appropriate information is available, early in the design process, to support design decision making. The authors of this paper consider that future software systems can be of particular benefit to concurrent engineering by providing such information support. Two complementary areas of information, product and manufacturing process information, have been identified as necessary to support the design process. The authors have explored the representation of manufacturing process information, within a Manufacturing Model, to support design decision making. The paper discusses issues relating to the general structure of manufacturing process modelling as well as examines the use of the information modelling language EXPRESS in defining the content of a manufacturing model. Work performed by the authors in building a manufacturing model of the injection moulding process is presented, the problems raised in building the model are addressed, and the solutions to them are discussed. The advantages and limitations found in using the EXPRESS language to define a manufacturing model are discussed as is the use of activity modelling and object-oriented design techniques to complement the use of EXPRESS. In essence, the paper provides an insight into the current capability of information modelling tools and their application in the area of modelling manufacturing process information to provide concurrent engineering support.