Open Access Articles

The industrial internet-of-things is built on heterogeneous hardware/software platforms, which vary in their architecture and performance. Virtualization is an important technology for building secure and portable applications on scalable IoT deployments. Bytecode based virtual machines are coming back into focus with WebAssembly, a technology that started in the web browser and now raises interest in other use cases. In this paper we discuss a vision of scalable WebAssembly deployments in the industrial internet-of-things.

The political and social request for environmentally compatible products is putting companies under increasing pressure. Small and medium-sized companies (SME) in particular have to quickly find or develop solutions to these demands. This paper presents a methodological approach that combines the proven strategies of agile development with the specific activities of so-called ecodesign. The methodology is first discussed theoretically and then experimentally evaluated and discussed by means of a case study in a real company context.

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing companies. To be able to define strategies for decarbonizing their business activities, companies need to start accounting for their emissions. Calculating Scope 3 emissions is a complex, resource- intensive, and often imprecise process for companies. By using digital technologies, Scope 3 carbon accounting can become more transparent, efficient, and secure. This article highlights the potential of digital technologies in Scope 3 carbon accounting.

Due to the sharp rise in energy prices, compressed air, or compressor performance and its power consumption, are once again in the foreground as part of energy management. Due to the fact, that compressed air often escapes via leaks and these are difficult to localize or measure, a niche topic is becoming very noteworthy again. Automated leak detection can determine the need for repairs and help increase energy efficiency. It is important that not only leaks are detected, but that the extent of the leaks can also be quantified. A cost-effective method of detecting leaks is energy monitoring of the air compressor. Continuous monitoring and evaluation of the energy data means that you can react quickly.

The COVID-19 crisis had an unmistakable impact on the procurement situation in global supply chains, to which companies had to adapt quickly. The effects make it clear that to reduce risks, companies must address the structure and transparency of supply chains. The following article examines what knowledge the actors have and how digitalization can lead to further improvement. The results show that companies currently have little supply chain knowledge beyond their direct suppliers, but are increasingly able to obtain the supply chain data they require. At the same time, the results indicate that there is still potential to increase transparency and the use of data.

Within the concepts of Industry 4.0, the term “Smart Factory” stands for the creation of effective production environments through digitalization and cyber-physical systems. Most manufacturers plan to make their manufacturing systems more automated, flexible and adaptive. In the course of these efforts, intelligent materials are increasingly brought into focus. Combined actuator and sensory properties enable the construction of lightweight and compact multifunctional actuator-sensor systems that are operated in an energy-efficient, noise-free and emission-free manner. This makes them appropriate for building networked systems. Shape memory alloys (SMAs) and dielectric elastomers (DEs) are particularly suitable for building intelligent actuators, and are presented in this article alongside several use cases.

In recent years, numerous maturity models have been developed with the aim of providing a clear indication of the progress each company has made in terms of Industry 4.0 development. However, not all models include all aspects of Industry 4.0. The models are also not equally practical. This article offers an in-depth comparison and assessment of the comprehensiveness of the ten most important Industry 4.0 maturity models.

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 ...

The need to sometimes respond very quickly to changes requires companies to have a high degree of flexibility and speed of reaction. Application system architectures, which usually consist of old and self-developed systems, often do not allow companies to meet these requirements. However, investment funds for new software are limited, so priorities must be set when it comes to replacing legacy systems. An adaptability analysis is an efficient analysis method for planning the renewal of the application system landscape. This article describes the procedure and results of an adaptability analysis, using the example of an internationally active automotive supplier.

The planning of logistics processes and their efficient implementation are decisive competitive factors for customized plant construction. On the construction site, however, the collection of logistics data is often neglected, preventing the project planner from building a reliable database. Related information gaps can be closed with the help of a digital shadow that collects logistics-relevant data (partially) automatically, stores them in a consistent manner and makes them available to project management. This article describes the first important results of a research project on information and communication processes in construction site logistics and explains their vital role in the development and use of a digital shadow.