Enabling Model-Based Engineering in a CAx-Neutral PLM System: A case study for the implementation of semantic networks into Bluestar PLM
Translated title
Enabling Model-Based Engineering in a CAx-Neutral PLM System
Author
Larsen, Johannes Bach
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2025
Submitted on
2025-07-31
Pages
65
Abstract
Many engineering manufacturers produce highly customized products in small quantities. This study, conducted with ETO LLC, examines how Bluestar PLM can support these firms by using semantic networks—linked concepts and rules that describe how data relates and should be processed. Automating data validation and transformation is often difficult because each company has unique internal logic and Bluestar PLM offers limited built‑in modeling capabilities. We review digital modeling approaches such as model‑based systems engineering (MBSE), model‑based enterprise (MBE), product–process–resource (PPR), and Digital Twins, and identify semantic networks as a practical foundation for capturing reusable engineering and business logic and reducing manual work. To make this actionable, we introduce a new Bluestar entity—the data model—to represent these semantic networks, and we test and refine the idea through an iterative development process. Although the added complexity may not fully align with Bluestar PLM’s self‑implementation strategy, the approach shows promise: it can significantly reduce the effort spent on data validation and improve integration with Microsoft Dynamics. We conclude by outlining required extensions for broader adoption, including support for diverse CAx toolchains (computer‑aided design/engineering/manufacturing) and potential alignment with MBSE toolsets.
Mange ingeniørvirksomheder leverer stærkt kundetilpassede produkter i små serier. Dette studie, gennemført sammen med ETO LLC, undersøger, hvordan Bluestar PLM kan understøtte disse virksomheder ved hjælp af semantiske netværk—forbundne begreber og regler, der beskriver, hvordan data hænger sammen og bør behandles. Automatisering af datavalidering og -transformering er ofte vanskelig på grund af unik intern logik og begrænsede indbyggede modelleringsmuligheder i Bluestar PLM. Vi gennemgår digitale modelleringsmetoder som modelbaseret systemteknik (MBSE), modelbaseret virksomhed (MBE), produkt–proces–ressource (PPR) og digitale tvillinger, og peger på semantiske netværk som et praktisk grundlag for at indkapsle genbrugelig ingeniør- og forretningslogik og dermed reducere manuelt arbejde. For at gøre dette operationelt introducerer vi en ny Bluestar‑entitet—datamodellen—til at repræsentere de semantiske netværk, og vi afprøver og forfiner løsningen gennem en iterativ udviklingsproces. Selv om den øgede kompleksitet kan være i spænd med Bluestar PLM’s strategi om selv-implementering, viser tilgangen lovende resultater: den kan markant reducere indsatsen til datavalidering og forbedre integrationen med Microsoft Dynamics. Afslutningsvis beskriver vi nødvendige udvidelser for bredere anvendelse, herunder understøttelse af forskellige CAx‑værktøjskæder (computerstøttet design/engineering/produktion) og mulig tilpasning til MBSE‑værktøjssæt.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
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