Future of enterprise level knowledge management: Developing ontologies for digital engineering and manufacturing

Overview:

Whilst data is becoming increasingly available, we need better ways to use data. This is where ontologies offer an exciting opportunity, with their ability to enable knowledge sharing and reuse by means of common data architectures. This approach will semantically enhance the data, which will enable interoperability across a system of systems environment (e.g. many plane types).

Aim:

This PhD aims to develop a common ontology based methodology to address interoperability issues both in the context of complex assets. A breakdown of the objectives is provided below:

• Objective 1 is focusing on mapping the current data types, structures, and interoperability challenges to develop a detailed understanding of the current processes. as-is model.
• Objective 2 will aim to develop approaches to measure and assess interoperability so that we can understand the scale of the challenge, and the source of interoperability challenges.
• Objective 3 will aim to develop an approach that can address any interoperability challenges to meet the minimal required level of decisional requirements.
• Objective 4 will focus on testing the developed approach to evaluate whether interoperability can be managed through BAE Systems based use case. This will help to evaluate the developed processes, metrics and ontology framework. Tools such as Shapes Constraint Language SHACL, a reference model for interoperability (NCT3TA), and interoperability standards (e.g. HISO 100xx, ISO/IEC 11179-xx) will be employed for efficient and effective framework development. PhD applicants are not required to know each of these approaches, as suitable training will be made available.

Sponsorship Information:

Cranfield University is wholly postgraduate institution and is famous for its applied research in close collaboration with Industry. At Cranfield, the candidate will be based within the ‘Manufacturing, Materials and Design’ theme at the Centre for Digital and Design Engineering. The Centre hosts cutting-edge simulation and visualisation facilities. The student will have access to high-end computers for simulating the complex nature of maintenance. There will be relevant visits to BAE Systems (as the Industrial Sponsor of the project) in particular, but also various other organisations throughout the PhD to develop and demonstrate the research. This PhD is offering a fully funded PhD through the EPSRC ICASE scheme and BAE Systems to UK Nationals.