Simulation

In the manufacturing industry, the integration of digital human models into the product development and manufacturing process is becoming increasingly important. Particularly in assembly, which is characterized by a high proportion of manual tasks, motion simulations enable a realistic representation of human work and thus make a significant contribution to the evaluation of motion economy, process validation, and efficiency improvement. However, widespread application in production planning faces various challenges, such as the high initial effort required to create human simulations as well as volatile planning conditions. This article presents a practice-oriented solution from the automotive assembly sector that enables the creation of simulations with reduced effort as well as their early and consistent use in the planning process.

The digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector is hampered by vendor lock-in, high cloud costs, and stringent data sovereignty requirements when implementing Industrial Metaverse solutions. Although the Industrial Metaverse is quickly becoming a key concept in Industry 5.0, SMEs are often at a disadvantage when using proprietary solutions. This paper demonstrates how Industrial Metaverse applications can be realized by combining proven communication standards with open web technologies, thereby reducing barriers. This makes immersive applications for training, maintenance, and monitoring feasible even in SMEs. Using an open-source-based prototype as a best-practice implementation, the paper illustrates how the Industrial Metaverse can be made technologically and economically accessible to SMEs.

The digital twin [DT] is considered a key technology of Industry 4.0. Its basic concept is now being successfully applied in practice, as demonstrated by the commissioning of Mercedes' Factory56 in 2022. New identification technologies, tracking systems and communication solutions faciliate new ways of controlling production and managing material flows, particularly at the shop floor level. With precise technical data permanently available not only for products, but also for material availability and order fulfillment status, production processes can be managed more dynamically and efficiently. This is precisely where the concept of the DT comes into play, enabling the immediate use and evaluation of this data.Its relevance continues to grow, especially in the context of make-to-order production, the rising variety of product configurations, and the globalization of production and supply networks. This article introduces the basic concept of the DT and illustrates how it connects to ...