Knowledge-based engineering (KBE) means different things to different people. For purposes of this article, it refers to a practice of using the right knowledge at the right time in a design process to facilitate its automation, in part or whole. The main motivation behind KBE is an integrated approach to product design, with the goal of optimizing a design and associated process by making it predictable, leaner, faster, repeatable and efficient. Apart from that, KBE tries to apply a set of techniques to a design process, enabling organizations to manage knowledge as an important asset. Once knowledge is properly managed, it can be harnessed effectively when needed. For example, a design process can be automated, a sales configurator can be created, and engineer-to-order (ETO) designs can be configured quickly.
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