Smart Factory

The Smart Factory describes the future way of production where intelligent cyberphysical systems (CPS) form the technical foundation. Regarding this vision, decision-makers out of the industry are purchasing for help in order to implement CPS successfully. A method based on the strategical orientation of companies is presented, with which potential CPS applications can be identified and an associated investment decision can be supported.

Due to the rapid development in information technologies, the amount of information production staff has to deal with rises. Additionally, the requirements for the changeability and flexibility of control systems are growing. This leads to a constantly growing complexity in the handling of information. By avoiding unnecessary information logistics processes, this complexity is reduced and information management becomes easier.

The Smart Factory concept describes the extensively networked production of industry 4.0, which affects the entire life cycle of a factory and, in particular, factory planning and factory operation. Both classic and more up-to-date factory planning approaches come to their limits through the new requirements. This paper identifies the requirements that are important for the future structural planning of factories and presents the need for a holistic virtual validation of the factory structure. Furthermore, a methodological approach is addressed for the solution of the challenges.

The setup and configuration of industrial robots presumes a high degree of expert knowledge due to manufacturer specific control commands and a wide variety of design types. As a result, companies are running robot systems repetitively over long time periods instead of using their inherent flexibility. Therefore, in the research project AKOMI methods are being developed that allow automated setup and solution neutral programming of robot assisted assembly lines.

By digital transformation the German SME sector is faced with huge challenges. It also turns existing corporate processes upside down. 82 percent of the managers who were interviewed for a recent survey expect that the internal communication will accelerate significantly. Four out of five are convinced that the transfer of knowledge will play a key role. Three quarters are also convinced that it is necessary that IT and other departments close ranks. Business-simulations effectively support the required transformation process. Topic of this article is to show how they can help changing the attitude and perspective to generate sustainable value from Industry 4.0.

The proliferation of small mobile devices and everyday objects with integrated sensors and actuators provides the basis for a large variety of novel applications. With capabilities for wireless communication and determining the own position, these devices are ideally suited for location- and context-a-ware systems that are the focus of research in the Nexus project at the University of Stuttgart. The use of these technologies in a factory environment, e.g. a decentralized manufacturing resource management system as presented in this article, opens up a totally new application area.