Design

Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) is an additive manufacturing process which produces metallic components on the basis of arc welding. ISO/ASTM 52900 describes additive manufacturing as a process that creates components layer by layer from 3D model data. The basic equipment required includes a welding device, introducing the energy necessary for melting the metal wire, and a guiding machine, which traces the specified geometry of the component. Applications for WAAM include rapid prototyping and tooling, direct manufacturing and additive repair. The greatest advantages the process offers are low-cost system technology and a high deposition rate. The disadvantages of the process are the lack of process stability and exact repeatability. This article is intended to provide a clear overview of the WAAM manufacturing process, and to address its complex interactions.

This paper deals with the concept of the Industrial Metaverse and its potential impact on the manufacturing industry. First, the possibilities of the Industrial Metaverse are explained in general and then possible resulting functionalities for production technology along the life cycle are presented. For the two topics "Synthetic Data Generation" and "Virtual Qualification" the implications of the Industrial Metaverse are considered more concretely.

Changes in the economic environment always generate new challenges for companies. In order to consider these challenges, it is necessary to have a comprehensive knowledge of the processes and a high level of transparency of the company's process organization. The process, represented in a documentation based on models, takes on a significant role as a reflection of the activities.

Production automation is well established in large companies for high volume products. But robot-based assembly automation in mid-sized companies is still in its infancy. This study uses results from 19 expert interviews and a survey to identify obstacles to and drivers of automation in this field. Among the obstacles is the low flexibility of the robotic systems. One driver for automation is the increasing shortage of skilled workers. Based on the empirical findings, the study proposes options to increase the use of automation.

Global supply and value chains have become increasingly complex and interconnected, exposing companies to a range of risks caused by natural disasters, political instability, or global pandemics. The paper outlines some strategic options for companies to improve the resilience of their value chains, namely expansion of local or global supply chains, regional concentration or global diversification of production capacities, and insourcing or outsourcing activities. Data of 314 German manufacturing firms is used to investigate the influence of different digital technologies and adaptable production systems.