In this paper, a multi-application and feature-oriented database framework for web-based CAx applications is proposed based on client-server architecture. The web server provides a multi-view data access interface (MDAI) through which distributed users can access product and process information via data network. Application server can provide feature-modeling facilities on the basis of a geometric modeling kernel as well as DB manager. To enable information sharing among different applications

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... or collaborative engineering, a four-layer information model is proposed. The entire product model (EPM) covers information of product entire life cycle. Sub-models, coming from CAx applications, can be accommodated as specific views of the EPM from an application-specific viewpoint. Mapping mechanisms are investigated to convert the EXPRESSdefined feature object information model to the database schemas. The generic feature representation and geometrical data representation in database is given on the basis of the proposed mapping mechanisms. The information workflow and mechanisms to control concurrency and to validate features are also discussed.