An ontology-enabled production-in-the-loop

The paper presents Production-in-the-loop as a new approach to integrate functions and information along the process from the first sketch of a production system over its operation towards its rebuilding and the restart of the arising cycle. Essential elements of Production-in-the-loop are the suitable consideration of models used by digital tools for the presentation, analysis, design, optimisation, and control of production systems as well as the linkage of these models to the 'real world'. Production-in-the-loop forms an essential element of a Digital Manufacturing approach that enhances competitiveness of industrial enterprises by the reduction of times and costs for product creation and order fulfilment. Thereby Digital Manufacturing may serve as one builidng block for a comprehensive Digital Enterprise.