Frank Neumann focuses on establishing a theoretical basis that allows a description of the interplay between individual and collective processes in product development. For this purpose, he introduces the integrated descriptive model of knowledge creation as the first constituent of his research framework. As a second part of the research framework, an analysis and modeling method is proposed that captures the various knowledge conversion activities described by the integrated descriptive model of knowledge creation. Subsequently, this research framework is applied to the analysis of knowledge characteristics of mechatronic product development (MPD). Finally, the results gained from the previous steps are used within a design support system that aims at federating the information and knowledge resources contained in the models published in the various development activities of MPD.

Efficient management of product information is vital for manufacturing enterprises in this information age. Considering the proliferation of product information, tight production schedules, and intense market competition, human intelligence alone cannot meet the requirements of efficient product development. Technologies and tools that support information management are urgently needed. This volume presents the design reuse methodology to support product development. Significant efforts have been made to create an intelligent and optimal design environment by incorporating the contemporary technologies in product family design, artificial intelligence, neural networks, information theories, etc. This volume covers both theoretical topics and implementation strategies, with detailed case studies to help readers gain an insight in areas such as product information modeling, information analysis, engineering optimization, production cost estimation, and product performance evaluation.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 21st IFIP WG 5.5 Working Conference on Virtual Enterprises, PRO-VE 2020, held in Valencia, Spain, in November 2020. The conference was held virtually. The 53 full papers were carefully reviewed and selected from 135 submissions. They provide a comprehensive overview of major challenges and recent advances in various domains related to the digital transformation and collaborative networks and their applications with a strong focus on the following areas related to the main theme of the conference: collaborative business ecosystems; collaborative business models; collaboration platform; data and knowledge services; blockchain and knowledge graphs; maintenance, compliance and liability; digital transformation; skills for organizations of the future; collaboration in open innovation; collaboration in supply chain; simulation and analysis in collaborative systems; product and service systems; collaboration impacts; boosting sustainability through collaboration in Agri-food 4.0; digital innovation hubs for digitalizing European industry; and collaborative networks for health and wellness data management.

This book presents a model (HUNE) that assists in the insertion of human aspects in the product development process (PDP), at the beginning of a project, at the analyzed information, during its development and post-development, evaluating its suitability for human beings. The model proved to be actual with respect to the existing ones, dynamic and flexible, because it does not replace any model, but can be applied to other models, methods, or structures of PDPs, and enables scope, replication, and future improvements. Its applications brought satisfactory results, and it was very well evaluated by the participants in the application, by external experts and also through scientific publications.

Efficient management of product information is vital for manufacturing enterprises in this information age. Considering the proliferation of product information, tight production schedules, and intense market competition, human intelligence alone cannot meet the requirements of efficient product development. Technologies and tools that support information management are urgently needed. This volume presents the design reuse methodology to support product development. Significant efforts have been made to create an intelligent and optimal design environment by incorporating the contemporary technologies in product family design, artificial intelligence, neural networks, information theories, etc. This volume covers both theoretical topics and implementation strategies, with detailed case studies to help readers gain an insight in areas such as product information modeling, information analysis, engineering optimization, production cost estimation, and product performance evaluation.

Knowledge and Technology Integration in Production and Services presents novel application scenarios for balanced distributed and integrated systems based on knowledge and up-to-date technology and provides a great opportunity for discussion of concepts, models, methodologies, technological developments, case studies, new research ideas, and other results among specialists. It comprises the proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Information Technology for BALANCED AUTOMATION SYSTEMS in Manufacturing and Services (BASYS'02), which was sponsored by the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) and held in September 2002 in Cancun, Mexico.

Design and Analysis of Integrated Manufacturing Systems is a fresh look at manufacturing from a systems point of view. This collection of papers from a symposium sponsored by the National Academy of Engineering explores the need for new technologies, the more effective use of new tools of analysis, and the improved integration of all elements of manufacturing operations, including machines, information, and humans. It is one of the few volumes to include detailed proposals for research that match the needs of industry.

Today's rapidly evolving consumer frequently changes eating habits, tastes, and diet. Therefore, to secure financial solvency, food and beverage companies must continually define, develop, and market new products. This comprehensive volume integrates all aspects of the physical food and beverage product development cycle and provides perspectives on how to optimize each component of the new product equation in the food industry. It discusses both the technical and the marketing sides, emphasizing the necessity for a combined focus of both the product/process and the people/market. The inclusion of case studies makes the book suitable for a classroom text or a professional reference.

This book addresses Integrated Design Engineering (IDE), which represents a further development of Integrated Product Development (IPD) into an interdisciplinary model for both a human-centred and holistic product development. The book covers the systematic use of integrated, interdisciplinary, holistic and computer-aided strategies, methods and tools for the development of products and services, taking into account the entire product lifecycle. Being applicable to various kinds of products (manufactured, software, services, etc.), it helps readers to approach product development in a synthesised and integrated way. The book explains the basic principles of IDE and its practical application. IDE’s usefulness has been demonstrated in case studies on actual industrial projects carried out by all book authors. A neutral methodology is supplied that allows the reader to choose the appropriate working practices and performance assessment techniques to develop their product quickly and efficiently. Given its manifold topics, the book offers a valuable reference guide for students in engineering, industrial design, economics and computer science, product developers and managers in industry, as well as industrial engineers and technicians.

Collaborative design has attracted much attention in the research community in recent years. With increasingly decentralized manufacturing systems and processes, more collaborative approaches and systems are needed to support distributed manufacturing operations. "Collaborative Design and Planning for Digital Manufacturing" presents a focused collection of quality chapters on the state-of-the-art research efforts in the area of collaborative design and planning, as well as their practical applications towards digital manufacturing. "Collaborative Design and Planning for Digital Manufacturing" provides both a broad-based review of the key areas of research in digital manufacturing, and an in-depth treatment of particular methodologies and systems, from collaborative design to distributed planning, monitoring and control. Recent development and innovations in this area provide a pool of focused research efforts, relevant to a wide readership from academic researchers to practicing engineers.