Autor: Michael Schlecht

In the first article, the reference model was already explained in its essential features [1]. In the second part, the further development to a flexible reference model will be shown. The focus is on the extension to implement different source systems, the implementation of further planning tools, and the implementation of AI tools to achieve dynamic production engineering in the form of holistic and integrated factory planning. This paper explains the development of a holistic demonstrator as a proof of concept.

The digital twin has moved into the focus of manufacturing companies and has been identified by Gartner as a key technology [1]. In the automotive industry, VW uses the digital twin in the cloud to plan, control and optimize production at all 122 locations in the future [2]. The digital twin is also the basis and an integral part of new, digital business models and the digitization of production companies. This article gives an overview of the current state of the art and describes a flexible reference model for planning and optimizing production systems based on the digital twin. The focus is on the one hand on the optimization of static layouts and material flows and on the other hand on the optimization of dynamic material flows and the temporal organization of processes.

The age of globalisation is characterised by increased competition. An opportunity to succeed in the face of increasing competition lies in the digitisation of production companies. This article is dedicated to the design of a three-stage model platform of Industry 4.0, which focuses on the consistency of processes from the customer to the supplier at all company levels. The model platform is followed by an overview of the transformation steps for evaluating and shaping progress on the way to become a digitised production company.