The MMS15 Project has been divided into a number of sequential and related tasks as follows.
Task2 Task3 Task4 Task5 Task6 Task7 Task8 Task9 Task0This task would develop the underlying structure for the IKB taking as a starting point the prior experience since 1998 in the development and operation of the HOIS IKB and following the methodology described above. A software and directory structure would be established for input of information to the IKB. A working group would be established including the Project Partners and selected end users to optimise the structure. The categories of information to be input and focus for the IKB would be defined, including NDE methods, composite materials and types, industrial sectors. This would form the basis for implementation of the underlying software. The nature of the IKB construction facilitates simple addition of future categories and information types.
What does an IKB look like? Click to see
Demo Pages or
Current Demo IKB Beta Version
This is the major and most fundamental task and will
extend most of the duration of the project. Significant information is held
by the project partners from past projects, past DTI projects such as CPD4D,
NNDTC data on NDE technologies and over thirty years of research in
composites and NDE. Case studies, data examples, performance data and
multi-media information would be accessed from industry and suppliers of NDE
services. Information would be summarised, classified and formatted in HTML
and relevant visual formats for entering in the IKB. An important part of
this activity is summarising information, for example research reports in an
accessible form of real value to the user. An expert panel of NDE experts
and industrial end-users would be convened to reach consensus on the
standard summary information to include for each NDE technique.
A recommend-a-technique module would be developed for the IKB. This would provide quantitative guidance to industry on the optimum NDE method for their application. It is envisaged this would be formulated in a similar manner to the flexible methods used in the HOIS IKB with an expert ranking based on the response to a number of questions that define the application. The factors to be considered, for example defect type, location, material, geometry, fabrication method would be defined based on consultation with end-users. Our experience of operating IKB shows that it is extremely important that the basis for the ranking of NDE methods is visible and transparent to users. The ranking would be based on expert judgement and refined following trials by end users.
The structure defined in Task 1 would be implemented in software form with a series of directories to contain the textual and image-based information. Once established, the information could be simply transferred across by non-software experts as the formatted information is available from Task 2. The IKB software would be established using dynamic HTML and other software methods to establish the IKB pages and enable the user to drill down to different levels of information. Specific information would be input into underlying databases. Once established the IKB would evolve and grow as information is included, but be accessible for user trials and comment at an early stage in the development. An accessible user interface would be developed based on software best practice and experience of use of existing IKBs.
Approximately 1 year after project inception, an initial Beta version would be installed on the Net Composites website so it is accessible to members of the IAG, DTI, industrial end users and other project participants.
Industrial parties would be invited to trial the IKB
including an initial version of the guidance facilities (Task 3) and provide
comment. This would identify gaps in knowledge, the quality of the
guidance and the effectiveness of the structure and user-interface. This
evaluation would also bring forward additional information, useful links,
data examples and case studies. The evaluation would form the basis for
development of the revised version of the IKB. The Beta version would
remain accessible to users and start to provide direct revenue to the
programme. A number of industrial case studies are envisaged to test the
usefulness of the guidance provided and fill gaps in information.
Based on industry comment a revised version of the IKB would be established. This would include improvements to the user interface, significant additional information, refinements to the recommend-a-technique facility and additional links to relevant identified sites. Links would be established to relevant information on damage assessment and design of composites such as that arising in MMS5 and MMS13. The NDTForum would be established to attract comment and new information from users of the Beta Version.
The revised version would be installed on the Net Composites website so it is accessible to members of the IAG, DTI, industrial end users and other project participants. There would be a period of evaluation by industry with increasing numbers of companies and participants given access. The IKB would be continuously revised in response to industry comments.
A range of dissemination tasks is proposed. These will include the direct interaction with industry throughout the project and the presentation of outputs in a number of electronic and hardcopy formats. There will be significant initial publicity to attract interested industrial parties and relevant additional knowledge for the IKB. Use of the NetComposites Internet portal with its 9000 subscribers to publicise the project and host the IKB will provide direct dissemination to the widest possible constituency and access to trial versions of the IKB. The site attracts over 400 unique visitors per day with between 7000 and 8000 companies regularly accessing the site. This Task includes establishing and operating the Industrial Advisory Group (IAG), which it is anticipated would meet on a six monthly basis, in addition to the expert panels on specific project tasks.
This task includes the Project Management, establishment of the sub-contracts and reporting to DTI and industrial parties
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