Applied Research

R&D Projects

FP6 - KoBaS

KoBaS

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Programme: FP6

Project full title: Knowledge-Based Customized Services for Traditional Manufacturing Sectors Provided by a Network of High Tech SMEs

Proposal no: 505339-1

Priority: 3.4.3.1-4 Development of new processes and flexible & intelligent manufacturing systems: Development support for the new knowledge-based added value products and services in traditional less RTD intensive industries

Instrument: IP dedicated to SMEs

Partners: TTS, IICS, INTELLIACT, CADCAMation, Azevedos, Subercentro, Zenon, UNITY, URPEMAK, SCM GROUP, MCM, RPK, INESC, ITIA, Tekniker, EPFL, ETHZ, KMS, Quinson, Desnik.

Technologies: virtual reality, 3D simulation & discrete events, knowledge-based systems, finite elements analysis.

Concept:

The KoBaS project aims to provide a breakthrough in the current practices of using manufacturing machines, by developing a set of tools of new conception meant to enable the quick customization of solutions in order to provide, on the one hand, an advanced task and process planning and, on the other hand, machine configuration, maintenance, training and management support.

This set of tools are founded on techniques such as Virtual Reality, 3D & Discrete Events Simulation, Knowledge Based Systems and Finite Element Analysis, evolved, combined and optimized in their interaction thanks to a new brand of innovative technologies that are the main object of KoBaS.

In order to help the traditional European manufacturing SMEs to become more competitive, it is necessary to bring an added value to the machines and systems they design and produce. The proposed approach will bridge the gap: small innovative enterprises, if organized in a network ,will bring added value to the traditional manufacturing sectors, providing a more easy to use, customized, cost efficient, open-source, modular but integrated set of software tools specifically designed for traditional manufacturing SMEs.

The project objective is to promote a network of SMEs that are capable of providing KoBaS services, where the service is a customized, developed knowledge based solution thanks to the methodologies and tools that were studied and produced within the project for a specific machine and that will enhance machine performance

ROPARDO (WPCS) Role:

1. ROPARDO (WPCS) is responsible for the Experience Data Base Component, that is to define, develop and implement its functionality. This module is used by the High tech SMEs to build a Knowledge DB of past experience related with the handled Process. Once the cases are acquired and formalized, this module provides the methods for knowledge access and reuse. This module operates in strict connection with the Rule-Based Knowledge Core Construction Component.

2. ROPARDO (WPCS) is in charge with the set up of competencies centres for results exploitation and dissemination. They will be established within the Network of High Tech SMEs and will be the engine of disseminating the new services and expertise of the Network of High Tech SMEs to the industrial sector and the driving force to exploit the results. The centres will provide methodical, advisory, as well as informational services to potential customers and direct them to the appropriate partner/s within the KoBaS consortium. The centres will also assist customers in identifying potential shortcomings in their industrial practice and the need for specific KoBaS services.

About KoBaS

KoBaS is a research project whose purpose is to contribute to the development of software tools dedicated to Knowledge Management.

The results of the project are meant to be exploited by SMEs belonging to different traditional industrial sectors (metal, wood, leather, stone or plastic), creating new standards for manufacturing machine productivity and usability.

This is how a large number of small and medium enterprises will have the chance to use KoBaS tools with benefits both at economic and technical level.

On the other hand, the IT SMEs will gain a considerable increased know how and experience and will benefit from the knowledge sharing and development synergy promoted by the establishment of the Network of High Tech SMEs, thus settling the bases for a sustainable and lasting growth.

Project Components

There are 11 basic Components (development tools) in the framework of KoBaS:

Graphical User Interface Construction Component (development tool)
Rule-Based Knowledge Core Construction Component (development tool)
Experience Data Base Construction Component (development tool)
Part Program Creator Component (development tool)
3D Simulation Construction Component (development tool)
Analysis Construction Component (development tool)
Maintenance and Diagnosis module Construction Component (development tool)
Training module Construction Component (development tool)
Machine Configuration and Mechatronics module Construction Component (development tool)
Build-in Management Functions Construction Component (development tool)
Integration Component (development tool)
There is a twelfth Component that will be developed by the Chinese consortium.
Web Service Enabler Component (development tool)

Objective

Knowledge Based Customized Services for Traditional Manufacturing Sectors Provided by a Network of High Tech SMEs - FP6-2002

Development of new processes and flexible & intelligent manufacturing systems: Support to the development of new knowledge based added value products and services in traditional less RTD intensive industries - IP dedicated to SMEs

The KoBaS project aims to provide a breakthrough in the current practices of using manufacturing machines, developing a set of generic tools of new conception meant to enable the quick customization of software solutions of new conception meant to provide, on the one hand, an advanced task and process planning and, on the other hand, machine maintenance, training and management support, founded on techniques such as Virtual Reality, 3D & Discrete Events Simulation, Knowledge Based System and Finite Element Analysis, evolved, combined and optimized in their interaction thanks to a new brand of innovative technologies that are the main object of KoBaS.

The approach is meant to be flexible, adaptable, and scalable, to cope with the needs of a wide range of manufacturing centres for a number of traditional but strategic industrial sectors in Europe. These novel Solutions, designed for task and process planning, will be provided as services (customized for every manufacturing machine) for less intensive R&D traditional industrial sectors, by a Network of High-Tech SMEs that will be build during the project. Thanks to this new core of innovative tools, the manufacturing machine itself becomes intelligent, being aware of its state and being able to provide the actual goods, starting from the virtual model of the goods to be produced and naturally interacting with the user.

The project objective is to promote a Network of SMEs capable to provide "KoBaS services". Each service is a customized Knowledge Based Solution, developed for the specific machine, thanks to the methodologies and tools studied and accomplished within the project (the Components).

A Component (development tool) represents the collection of methodologies, software tools and libraries developed within the framework of this project and used by the NETWORK of HT-SMEs to generate the so called Black-Box. Several Black-Boxes are the solution delivered to the final end-user.

This novel solution is meant to provide, on the one hand, an advanced task and process planning and, on the other hand, machine configuration, maintenance, training and management support, making the manufacturing machine intelligent.

Partners