Collecting and sharing designers' knowledge in collaborative environment

The paper presents the detailed description of Knowledge Based Engineering application used in design process. Engineering knowledge is stored in a base, which is implemented as a software tool - a personal designer's assistant. XML (extensible Markup Language) is applied in the assistant for data structure description and management as well as document edition. Knowledge acquisition via assistant is based on XML features, especially XML Schemas, which describe data structure. The increase of range of knowledge base is possible by means of defining new XML Schemas. Two kinds of XML Schemas are used: the first ones describe specific knowledge used in designing process, the latter ones are commonly used as standards. Designer's assistant integrates many kinds of applications and records (CAD, spreadsheets, word processors etc.). Its application in collaborative environment is proposed to enable accessibility of personal knowledge to a group of designers. For this purpose native XML base is used in intranet corporative environment. Such architecture enables sharing designers' knowledge in group work and concurrent engineering.