Abstract
This paper presents a content-search system built on distributed environments using the open product model of STEP, The content-search system searches design data for given product descriptions such as part name and features. Distribute object interfaces has been defined by IDL and distributed product data are searched through CORBA protocols. Web interfaces are also provided for interactive user interfaces. Given a user request, a mediator interacts with distributed search servers and sends collected results back to the user. The mediator has such metadata as location, program name, and other information about product data stored on distributed system. The search servers use SDAI interfaces to search STEP files or databases. The content-search system promotes the reuse of previous design within a company and the outsourcing of part designs.
