Digital repository for design knowledge reuse

Many companies in the engineering sector are currently facing the challenge of producing accurate documentation which can be reused during design activities in order to support the life cycle of their products. This is a consequence of the process of transformation in the organisation and the industry, due to the fact that reinvention often occurs because people do not realise that they are trying to do what others have finished doing. To meet the need to records richer and more accurate information in order to synchronise the design activities, this research aims to develop a working prototype of the Digital Knowledge Repository for Engineering Designer system. This knowledge repository not only documents the discussions and decisions related to design, but also the sources of information available on the specific design situation. Through a case study, the system highlights the possibility of a complete picture of a positive direction for the future development of a documentary activity, with a focus on the engineering industry.