KM Needs and Concepts -- An Overview on Knowledge Management -- Manufacturing Knowledge Work: The European Perspective -- Building a Knowledge Share Culture in a Virtual Organization. Case Study for VRL-KCiP NoE -- Influence of Multi-Culturality in Virtual Teams -- A Web and Virtual Reality Based Paradigm for Collaborative Management and Verification of Design Knowledge -- Knowledge Management in the Virtual Enterprise: Web Based Systems for Electronic Manufacturing -- EDEN™ -- Misunderstandings in Global Virtual Engineering Teams: Definitions, Causes, and Guidelines for Knowledge Sharing and Interaction -- A Knowledge Network Approach Supporting the Value Chain -- Formulating an Expertise Map in the VRL-KCiP -- Representation and Navigation Techniques for Semi-Structured Knowledge in Collaborating Communities -- The Use of Conceptual Maps for Competencies Mapping and Knowledge Formalization in a Virtual Lab -- Production Paradigms Ontology (PPO): a Response to the Need of Managing Knowledge in High-Tech Manufacturing -- KM Models, Methods and Tools -- Compatibility Knowledge in Fuzzy Front End -- Development of a Conceptual Reference Framework to Manage Manufacturing Knowledge Related to Products, Processes and Production Systems -- FBS-PPRE, an Enterprise Knowledge Lifecycle Model -- Knowledge Management for Industrial Heritage -- The Role of Knowledge Management in Supporting a Radical Innovation Project -- Improved Utilisation of Organisational Documents Using a Conceptual Framework -- Applications of Knowledge Engineering Approaches for Design -- Generation of Design Knowledge from Product Life Cycle Data -- Reference Architectures as Knowledge Management Tools Guiding and Supporting Enterprise Engineering -- Knowledge Networks, Methods and Tools Analysis for Information Validity: Case Study Feed Back -- Case in Manufacturing Knowledge Management -- Knowledge Management in a Virtual Lab Collaborative Training Project: A Mini-Formula Student Car Design -- Case Study in Design: Generation of Design Knowledge for Vehicle Sub-frames Based on Finite Element Simulation -- A Pragmatic Approach to Knowledge Management in an Engineering Design SME -- Capitalization and Reuse of Forging Knowledge in Integrated Design -- Case Study, USIQUICK Project: Methods to Capitalise and Reuse Knowledge in Process Planning -- Knowledge Management in Manufacturing Process Modeling: Case Studies in Selected Manufacturing Processes -- Knowledge Management Paradigms in Selected Manufacturing Case Studies -- Process Design Theory for Digital Information Services -- The VRL-KCiP Software Demonstration and Exchange Platform – An Example for Web-Based Knowledge Management and Representation -- A Basic Knowledge Management System for the VRL-KCiP -- Contacts and Appointments Manager: VRLshepherd.

Knowledge Management is a broad, critical and strategic issue for all companies. Indeed, knowledge is the key to competitiveness, for today’s competitive business environment requires reactivity, flexibility, agility and innovation. While knowledge itself is difficult to measure, it manifests itself in improved products, technologies and businesses. Four years ago, based on the experience of many leading experts worldwide, CIRP (The International Academy for Production Engineering) decided to prepare and structure a proposal for a Network of Excellence. The European Community agreed to fund this NoE, with the aim of building a "Knowledge Community in Production." This aim was achievable because the NoE partners represented the most important universities in Europe and had strong partnerships with laboratories in distant locations, such as Japan, Australia, South Africa and the USA. This book provides an understanding of what knowledge is and of why it is one of the most strategic issues in future manufacturing competitiveness, which will be based primarily on high-level technologies and innovative products. The collective experience that contributed to the publication of this book is unique in that it is based on 34 complementary contributions that represent the state of affairs and current topics in Knowledge Management today. The book describes fundamental Knowledge Management concepts, methods and tools as well as concrete experiences which are presented and discussed. The specific European context and some sample cases from European manufacturing knowledge sharing also provide original added value to the book.