ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines a new approach to design of architectures based on Activity Structures methodology. It describes the generic prototype modules form an empty shell that can be filled by the knowledge structures that are specific to a particular application. The chapter presents a general method that has to be applied in order to construct such environment specific knowledge structures. It looks at the type of knowledge that has resulted from application of the method of functional refinements that produced general purpose Functional Environmental Activity Structure to be put into an empty shell. The chapter considers two applications, namely, a robotic system and a distributed system for computer assisted manufacturing (CAM). The nature of the activities of the manufacturing process is reflected in the shift of the conceptual meaning of the knowledge structures reflecting the deep knowledge. The chapter concludes by a presentation of knowledge structures needed in an active system for CAM.
