Manufacturing Systems

Decentralized Tact Time Control in Assembly

Decentralized Tact Time Control in Assembly

Simplifying robust control of assembly lines via the I4.0 box
Sander Lass, Tim Körppen
In theory, decentralized control approaches in the manufacturing context offer several advantages over monolithic centralized systems where all functions are combined into one or into several authorities. However, practical implementation requires adaptation of the general concept of decentralization to fit individual and specific use cases, especially with regard to their sensible scope. One such use case is the assembly of high-variation products. This article shows the appropriate combination of centralized and decentralized approaches can be leveraged to achieve better planning and increased throughput in manufacturing. With flexible cycle control for work stations and suitable assistance at the assembly workstation, the previous shop-floor oriented organization style can be transformed into a series-like manufacturing process. This is done using a multi-layered infrastructure that follows the Industry 4.0 paradigm of decentralized information processing through autonomous ...
Industry 4.0 Science | Volume 39 | 2023 | Edition 1 | Pages 34-40 | DOI 10.30844/I4SE.23.1.34
Assessment of Technical Cleanliness in the Production Process of Lithium-Ion Battery Cells for Automotive Applications

Assessment of Technical Cleanliness in the Production Process of Lithium-Ion Battery Cells for Automotive Applications

Laura Meusel, Bernd Rosemann, Michael Morawiec
Technical cleanliness as a quality feature in the automotive industry is continuously growing in importance. In this context, particularly high cleanliness requirements are placed on battery cells for electric vehicles, which must be adhered to along the value chain. This paper will introduce an assessment method for the analysis of technical cleanliness in the production process of lithium-ion- cells as well as revealing potential failure causes.
Industrie 4.0 Management | Volume 38 | 2022 | Edition 6 | Pages 19-23
Digital Representations as Basis for Digital Twins in Plant Industry

Digital Representations as Basis for Digital Twins in Plant Industry

Fundamentals, Particularities, Challenges and Possible Solutions
Bernhard Saske, Sebastian Schwoch, Kristin Paetzold, Max Layer, Sebastian Neubert, Jonathan Leidich, Peter Robl
The use of Digital Twins offers a wide range of applications and opportunities for optimized processes along the entire life cycle of technical systems. However, this concept encounters specific characteristics in plant industry within the development, the construction and operation phase of plants. This article describes these special characteristics and the resulting challenges for the creation and operation of Digital Twins in plant industry. The concept of “Digital Representation” as a basis for Digital Twins is presented together with its prerequisites and potentials.
Industrie 4.0 Management | Volume 38 | 2022 | Edition 5 | Pages 21-24 | DOI 10.30844/IM_22-5_21-24
Artificial Intelligence and Future of Work

Artificial Intelligence and Future of Work

Changes and Possible Approaches
Andreas Heindl, Alexander Mihatsch
Artificial intelligence (AI) is already an important part of business models and processes of many companies. In the future, AI systems will pro- foundly change our working environment. AI systems can develop completely new potential for companies in a wide variety of sectors and domains - especially in industry. Existing busi- ness models can be optimized along the value chain by optimizing production flows and processes or avoiding production downtimes with predictive maintenance. At the same time, AI systems can enable completely new business models and thus radically change existing mar- ket structures through new players. The AI economy of tomorrow will be more individual, more precise and more sustainable: Competitive value creation without AI will not be possible in many areas of industry.
Industrie 4.0 Management | Volume 38 | 2022 | Edition 4 | Pages 10-14
Concept for a Modular, Reconfigurable Assembly System

Concept for a Modular, Reconfigurable Assembly System

Increased flexibility through reconfiguration at various production levels
Jasper Wilhelm, Nils Hoppe, Michael Freitag ORCID Icon
Companies must increase their flexibility and enable high product customization and variety to meet market demands. In assembly, this requires a large number of special machines, which leads to high investments and space requirements. This paper presents a concept for a modular, reconfigurable assembly system that allows unrestricted connection of individual modules. It is shown how such a system can be located in the RAMI4.0 framework and fulfills changeability requirements on different production levels. (Only in German)
Industrie 4.0 Management | Volume 38 | 2022 | Edition 4 | Pages 33-37
Technology Acceptance of Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Technology Acceptance of Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Jonas Geist, Jörg von Garrel
This article aims to develop a model for the acceptance of RPA technologies based on the presentation of the state-of-the-art. The model is the basis of an empirical study on the acceptance of robot-assisted process automation (RPA) at a global technology company. The results of this study are presented in a corresponding publication "An Empirical Analysis of Technology Acceptance of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) (Part 2)".
Industrie 4.0 Management | Volume 38 | 2022 | Edition 4 | Pages 43-47
Design workplace-based competence development

Design workplace-based competence development

Criteria for using digital assistance systems in workplace-based competence development
Wilhelm Bauer, Maike Link, Walter Ganz
An important element for companies to deal with the demands of the world of work is the continuous and needs-specific further training of employees. The possibility of learning close to the workplace has a major role to play here.
Industrie 4.0 Management | Volume 38 | 2022 | Edition 2 | Pages 28-32
A Learning Assistance System for Ergonomic Improvements

A Learning Assistance System for Ergonomic Improvements

An Approach to Improve Behavioral Prevention in Production
Justus Brosche, Hermann Lödding ORCID Icon, Hannes Wackerle, Peter Augat
Musculoskeletal disorders are the major cause of incapacity to work in the production industry in Germany. Accordingly, ergonomic work processes are particularly important in order to protect the health of employees and to reduce the high follow-up costs for companies and society. This article presents an approach that assesses and analyzes the individual worker capabilities and individual strain at the workplace with the help of modern motion capture systems. A learning assistance system uses the analysis results for ergonomic behavioral prevention in production.
Industrie 4.0 Management | Volume 38 | 2022 | Edition 2 | Pages 23-27
Biomimetics in Holistic Production Systems

Biomimetics in Holistic Production Systems

Biomimetic Methods to Support Process Standardization in SMEs
Annika Lange ORCID Icon, Patrick Gering, Nicole Oertwig ORCID Icon, Thomas Knothe ORCID Icon
Holistic production systems (HPS) do not only produce positive effects in large companies - they also have an impact on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), such as improved adherence to delivery dates. However, HPS cannot be copied from large companies to SMEs due to different initial situations and circumstances. The introduction of HPS means a high effort for SMEs. In this paper, an approach is presented on how a bionic principle can make HPS less costly and at the same time more effective for SMEs.
Industrie 4.0 Management | Volume 38 | 2022 | Edition 1 | Pages 57-60
Humans in Industry 4.0

Humans in Industry 4.0

A process model for a practice-oriented analysis
Sven Winkelhaus, Anke Sutter, Eric Grosse ORCID Icon, Stefan Morana
The development of Industry 4.0 changes the role of humans in operations systems. In sociotechnical systems, there is ongoing interaction between humans and technology, impacting human life and work. However, human factors are broadly ignored in research on Industry 4.0 technologies and implementation. In this work, a process model is described that supports the evaluation of the impact of a technology implementation on human factors and performance indicators. This can avoid negative consequences for employees as well as phantom profits and can contribute to a successful digital transformation.
Industrie 4.0 Management | Volume 37 | 2021 | Edition 3 | Pages 45-48 | DOI 10.30844/I40M_21-3_S45-48
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