: This paper describes using agents in the exchange of industrial product data when predefined translators are not available. A major problem with standard translators is that a seamless data transfer instantly fails when not every translator implements a mapping into or from the standard format. This is frequently the case for large design projects that involve the use of a multitude of heterogenous tools, possibly in evolving configurations over time. This approach to using agents aims to flexibly provide product models in a form adapted to the need of the particular tools when a common data format is not readily available. Experiments show the feasibility of this approach as well as its efficacy and efficiency. Key words: product data exchange, product modelling, interoperability
Udo Kannengiesser, John S. Gero