I4S+ content for subscribers only

Due to the increasing demand for individuality, producer of capital goods offer a great range of different products. This product portfolio needs to be adjusted due to many reasons. Modifications may just include the ramp-up. However, modifications can also affect the termination of a production which can just contain single parts up to an entire series. This article provides a deeper insight into the phase-out process of multi-variant products of capital goods producers.

One-of-a-kind or small batch manufacturer can only derive process times from previous projects to a limited extent for the planning of customer order and component-specific projects and transfer these to new projects. This is due to the fact that the process times depend on influencing parameters that are directly related to the respective component. As part of a research project, these influencing parameters to the duration for logistic processes are examined. The identification of the influencing parameters using a Delphi Study is explained in this article.

Augmented Reality has the potential to radically change both our private environment and the world of work over the coming years and decades. In a study, Prof. Michael E. Porter (Harvard Business School) and James E. Heppelmann, President and CEO of PTC, examine what Augmented Reality is, which technologies and applications will make them so important in the future, and how AR will be implemented in business practice. For example, augmented reality will change the way we learn, how we make decisions, or interact with the physical environment. But AR is not just another communication channel, but a completely new way to get in touch with people. Augmented reality is intended to bridge the gap between man’s limited mental capacity and receptivity and the ever-growing amount of data and insight that the virtual, digital product world provides.

The increase in transport volumes, the consolidation of the unloading ports and the influence of ship size developments pose particular challenges for the logistics processes and technologies to the landside connection of sea ports. In addition, skills shortages are a driving force in the search for automated containerized transportation systems (ACTS) that relief ports and their surrounding infrastructure and extend storage capacity. The technology-specific assessment of the impact of an ACTS on the infrastructures to be crossed is the subject of this article.

The complexity of logistic networks and systems is growing in today’s globalized world. Consequently, there is a rising demand on digitalization in this sector in order to gain a competitive advantage on the market. This paper introduces policy instruments suitable to boost the demand for uptake of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the logistics sector. Experts and stakeholders have been consulted on this topic and an EUwide survey has been launched. The consultations indicated barriers for the implementation of relevant technologies and showcased the appropriate demand-side policy measures able to overcome these barriers, thus motiva-ting companies to digitalize. As a result, several instruments to boost ICT-implementation in transport and logistics were recommended to the policy makers.

Rising challenges of horizontal transports on container terminals and of the transports between various handling companies in the port demand a continuous improvement of processes and strategies to meet the requirements by clients and society. A low-risk method to test possible improvements is discrete event simulation. In this publication, horizontal transport on container terminals is compared to drayage transport between different handling companies in the port area. Similarities and contrasts are analyzed to simplify the transfer of knowledge between the two research fields.

As Industry 4.0 Technologies are swiftly spreading in global economy and enterprises are cooperating in supply chain networks, the question arises how fit these networks are for the imminent challenges. The contribution presents a method which allows to evaluate the industry 4.0-readiness for the example of an automotive network. As a first part, a qualitative analysis is carried out by means of an Industry 4.0-compass. Subsequently, a performance indicator based quantitative analysis is used to assess the industry 4.0-readiness of the automotive network.

Digitalization in logistics is progressing. Cyber-Physical logistics systems are emerging and opening up new opportunities in the management of logistics processes. The associated potentials for error-free and efficient logistics is enormous - but the potentials do not open up automatically, despite initial quick wins in KPIs. More than ever, executives play a key role on the path to excellence in logistics performance. They must learn to „proactively manage“ in an increasingly networked workplace. Which new possibilities the increasing digitization offers for this difficult development process and how these potentials can be exploited, is the subject of the following article.

Load bearing structures are typically designed with respect to relevant load cases, assuming static shapes and given material properties that are selected during design and material selection. An example of such a material is a particular class of polymers that are capable of changing their elasticity based on the influence of optical, thermal or electrical fields. One problem to be solved in terms of active intelligent cellular structures is the correlated and self-organizing control of cell response and control and the underlying information organization that must provide robustness and real-time capabilities. We propose a hybrid approach combining mobile and reactive self-organizing multi-agent systems (MAS) and machine learning. The MAS is the essential robust information communication technology (ICT). The agents are executed in material-integrated networks consisting of microcomputers. The simulation and implementation of such complex systems is a major challenge.

Wire ropes are used in different applications and human life often depend on their integrity. Therefore, technical personnel checks the tightropes on a regular basis but there are some difficulties in detecting damaged areas. Consequently, wire ropes are exchanged rather too early than too late causing avoidable extra costs. In this paper, the project MOBISTAR is presented that combines a magneto-inductive and an optical sensor to detect damages and a software based on Convolutional Neural Networks to evaluate those defects.