Typeset

In process engineering, one thinks of production operations that are controlled or regulated by sensors and actuators. And any realization of matter transformation is based on a physical substratum, which holds equally for living systems and their behaviour. The article distinguishes between three system levels: the functional level, the interface to the environment and the cognitive level of. Using these three levels, the learning cycle or the previous Cognitive Loop can be very well illustrated. If one compares with this way of distinction the Bio-Informatization of human intelligence with the technical development stages of mechanization, automation, regulation and deep learning, then the cybernetic-sociological term “operational closure” becomes understandable. It becomes obvious that in the context of a digitized culture of production and organization, we should be prepared for a new kind of cognitive loop based on silicon (SI), an intelligent system behavior via ...

The paper presents a method for the systematic selection of “Digital Twin” applications of products. Based on a product-independent search of implementations, potential use cases for the product’s ”Digital Twin” are specified and selected. This selection of applications forms the basis of the method, which allows a detailed modeling in two phases. The result of this modeling is an in-depth understanding of the use cases themselves and their requirements, especially information requirements, on the “Digital Twin” of the product. Furthermore, these findings enable an efficient conception and implementation of the virtual image of the product and can be the basis for optimizing the existing value chain.

Collaborative robots (so-called cobots) that enable secure hand-in-hand collaboration with construction workers without physical separation are regarded as a promising future technology for manufacturing companies. In practice, there are some cases in which people interact with cobots, but very few in which collaboration in a narrower sense takes place. What are the reasons for this lack of collaborative applications? What role does the cobots’ ability to enable collaboration play in practice? The study is based on qualitative evidence gathered in four German small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The impact of digitization on the economy cannot be seen detached from the debate on sustainable development. Corporate Sustainability Management (CSM) offers particular potential for approaching sustainable development and Industry 4.0 from a company perspective. However, supporting digitized sustainability management in companies with information requires a consistent and seamless flow of information, which can be achieved with the help of methods of knowledge representation. Current challenges and approaches for the development of an open and conceptional CSM model are presented in this article.

Blockchain holds high potential for various applications. In the business context, one of its key features - the availability of data to various parties - is a liability as business secrets shouldn’t be exposed and GDPR compliance has to be ensured. In this paper, we discuss solutions for these privacy problems. Also, we present the HANSEBLOC project, a blockchain-powered platform for data exchange in logistics, and the chosen privacy solutions.

This article presents an IOTA Industry Marketplace. The industry marketplace is a manufacturer- and industry-neutral open-source platform, based on the specifications and guidelines of the platform Industry 4.0 and enables an uncomplicated integration of company information systems into the overall network. The industry marketplace combines distributed ledger technology, unchangeable audit trails, standardized, machine-readable language, an integrated distributed identity system and provides a trusted and secure infrastructure for data and value transfer.

Alongside to the enormous rise in Bitcoin value in 2017/2018, there was also a tremendous rise in required Hashpower and electricity to verify blocks of the Bitcoin-Chain. Deriving from this problem, this article investigates different consensus algorithms and their impact on sustainability. Furthermore this article proposes an extensive comparison of the most used Blockchain algorithms with a focus on their contribution to sustainability.

Blockchain technology is expected to have great potential for success, especially in logistics and supply chain management. In the following, the Blockchain project “Release Order based on Blockchain (ROboB)” in the Port of Hamburg will be discussed in particular. The analysis showed that in addition to positive aspects, the core characteristics of the Blockchain could also represent obstacles for logistics business. Therefore, this paper examines whether transparency is an important design consideration when using blockchain in logistics and the supply chain.

The aim of circular economy is to return a used product to the product and production life cycle several times in a value-adding way. This article presents the current industrial practice for a successful circular economy and the associated potentials, based on a definition of circular economy and its principles. Afterwards, existing challenges of the circular economy are analyzed. The article intends to support decision-makers in recognizing the advantages of circular economy and to tackle challenges for a successful introduction at an early stage.

As transportation is accountable for around 87 % of total logistics emissions globally, scientific focus in the past laid on the moving elements of the supply chain and not the stop points in between, namely the warehouses. However, responsible for 13 % of emissions, logistics real estate should not be neglected. Thus, based on an extensive literature research, the article summarizes the current state of science in green logistics buildings. By discussing certain aspects of supply chain strategy development, location planning and warehouse construction, possibilities aiming to minimize the ecological lifecycle footprint are elaborated.