Constructions for Modeling Product Structure

This paper identifies constructions needed for modeling product structure, shows which ones can be represented in OWL2 and suggests extensions for those that do not have OWL2 representations. A simplified mobile robot specification is formalized as a Knowledge Base (KB) in an extended logic. A KB is constructed from a signature of types (classes), typed properties, and typed variables and operators. Modeling product structure requires part decompositions, connections between parts, data valued properties, typed operations with variables, and constraints between property values. Data valued properties represent observable properties assumed or measured regarding a product. Operations with variables are used to define constraint properties such as fact that the total product weight is the some of weights of product components. Constructors, which take arguments from the signature and have properties as values, are used to specify families of properties such as part properties. These constructions are illustrated for the mobile robot. Operators and variables are represented as type, property, and operations within type theory.