The SWOP and S-TEN projects, with the POSC Caesar Association, believe that it is possible to define a small core of basic classes and properties for product modelling. This "product core" could be the basis of the ontologies defined by the two projects, and for many other application ontologies. This core could help the development of Web ontologies derived from existing international standards, such as IFC, STEP and ISO 15926. Therefore it is proposed to set up a W3C "Product Modelling" incubator group which will develop this core.
See the charter for more information.
W3C Advisory Committee Representatives may join this XG on behalf of their organizations by completing this online form. Non-Members may join W3C or ask the Chair of an Incubator Group to participate as an Invited Expert, subject to W3C's policy for approval of Invited Experts.
Participants are automatically subscribed to the Member list when they join the group. Participants should also subscribe to the public list. Non-Participants may also subscribe. Please read more about W3C mailing list and archive usage.
A product ontology defines all possible configurations (instances/values) for a given product by specifying its relevant (sub-)classes, (datatype and object) properties (including min/max cardinalities and relevant underlying datatypes) covering one or more product life cycle phases (design, built, operate) and/or disciplines (function, form, cost, time, …).
A product ontology can be defined from scratch in OWL but it is found that there are many generic features (though not part of OWL1.0/2.0 itself) that can be modelled by a reusable ‘upper ontology for product modelling’ including modules like:
- measures/units
- (de)composition (‘hasParts’/’partOf’) in multiple ways (depending on life cycle and/or discipline)
- topological object properties like connection and containment
- relationships between Design & Built, Built & Operate, and Design & Operate
- default choices/values
- Physical versus virtual products (‘features’)
DEFINITION Product
A product can be a ‘one-of-a-kind’, such as (typically) a building, ship or process plant, or a mass produced item, such as a car, refrigerator, or notebook computer. In principle our approach will be valid for both situations equally. A Product will in general span more than one supply in the supply-chain.
DEFINITION Operate
Use/Exploit, Manage, Maintain the product by the end-user.
