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For the development of OPC UA servers for machine tools the complex architecture of numeric controls and programmable logic controllers is often depicted in a structure focused on data. The information models provide access to a wide set of available data points but lack intuitive functions, such as handling of NC programs and controlling auxiliary systems, which would be used by machine operators in manual mode. The information model presented in this paper shows a possible solution to combine data and functionality of machine tools in an intuitive structure in order to simplify navigation for clients and users.

31st CIRP Design Conference, CIRP Design 2021, online, 19 May 2021 - 21 May 2021; Procedia CIRP 100, 343-348 (2021). doi:10.1016/j.procir.2021.05.084 special issue: "31st CIRP Design Conference 2021 (CIRP Design 2021) / Edited by Eric Lutters", Published by Elsevier, Amsterdam [u.a.]

The system development process is becoming increasingly complex as the systems themselves become more and more complex. At the same time, the various disciplines such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and software engineering are becoming increasingly intermixed, so that companies in one discipline are experiencing leaps and bounds in the complexity of their systems and their development. For this reason, this publication presents a concept of a virtual assistant that leads through a development phase. It shows that the software supporting the development needs an information model to store the data of the developed system and to connect it with the existing knowledge. This knowledge can either be available internally or on the web. The development process should therefore support cooperation so that the assistance software and engineers interact with each other.

The recent shift in manufacturing paradigm in terms of reconfigurable automation technologies invites the involvement of industrial mobile robots, highly automated production systems and digital information models to support manufacturing. Therefore, in the future, manufacturers need to complete automated production lines to compete in the global market. However, a current lack of performance assessment methods for the successful functioning of an advanced manufacturing line demands to describe a concept for the evaluation of such a manufacturing environment. This paper presents a concept to analyze the performance of advanced technologies integrated manufacturing line. Modeling and simulation of a case study are performed to validate and to attain the results of the proposed concept.

This paper describes a method for creating a digital twin based on planning and process data for machining processes by using the example of components in the aerospace industry. This development is based on an information model that combines the properties and relationships of relevant information and data involved in the manufacturing process. This system integrates mathematical (technical-technological) models and algorithms for the determination of process parameters as well as planning-relevant information from the machining process. The technology of the digital twin makes it possible to recognize problems directly in the machining process, e.g. deviations from the planning specifications and to derive targeted measures for quality assurance and optimization of the machining process.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) carries significant uncertainties and imprecision due to a number of factors, including the framework’s linearity assumptions and the wide use of aggregate unit processes in practice. In this work, we exploit the unit manufacturing process (UMP) information model (ASTM E3012-16) to enable parametric environmental analysis of manufacturing systems without disrupting the traditional LCA workflow. We present a formal mapping of an extension of the ASTM E3012 data model and the ecoSpold2 data model. We then demonstrate the utility of this mapping by (1) generating life cycle inventory (LCI) data from an example UMP model representing a vertical milling process and (2) linking the results with an existing LCI database. To show value, we use the Brightway2 framework to process the LCI data and complete a LCA. We conclude by comparing LCA results generated from the parametric milling UMP model against LCA results of a similar milling unit process model from a commercial database.

In modern automated industrial plants, the share of components embedded in a complex network using nowadays communication protocols grows. This leads to plants having several interfaces which offer data and which must be addressed during commissioning. To ease integration and avoid errors, communication interfaces of all involved components can be aggregated. However, as the components’ cooperation realises higher level functions-in the plant, it is necessary to enhance aggregations with a plant-specific information model, that incorporates aggregated data and abstract specific plant functions. This paper introduces a model-driven approach to realise locally deployable data aggregation systems that integrate plant-specific information models.

A methodology of open design of adaptive information models for production management under uncertainty, based on a cognitive approach and taking into account the human factor, is developed. This methodology is based on the idea of designing a variety of adaptive information models based on a single basic model. In this case, a variety of adaptation procedures that are publicly available can be used. As an example, information models based on self-learning procedures are considered. The results of the operation of these models are adaptive parameters (norms) and production estimates. When designing such models, it can be used many of the formal self-learning procedures described in the scientific and technical literature. As an example, the self-learning information model for production management based on a stochastic approximation designed. Sufficient conditions for its correctness are found, which ensure the unfolding of the production potential taking into account the human factor. The application of the self-learning information model is illustrated by the example of wagon-repair production of large-scale corporation Russian Railways.

A lack of consistent data, reliable analysis techniques, and user-friendly tools is inhibiting decision makers’ abilities to assess and evaluate the sustainability performance of manufacturing processes and systems. Recent integration of information technology with advanced manufacturing technologies has led to a new paradigm, termed smart manufacturing or Industry 4.0. To leverage this paradigm shift for the advancement of sustainable manufacturing, efforts have been made to characterize unit manufacturing processes (UMPs) for sustainability assessment and to develop frameworks, methodologies, and standards utilizing information modeling approaches. This paper proposes a grey box object-oriented software framework for sustainability assessment of complex manufacturing systems, utilizing the multiple inheritance principle for composition of UMP models. Information modeling guidelines based on the framework are provided for UMP model developers and UMP performance analysts to construct and analyze system models. To demonstrate the usefulness of the framework and guidelines, a prototype information model is developed for a hybrid manufacturing system composed of fused deposition modeling (an additive process) and CNC milling (a subtractive process).

Configuration and implementation of safety programs for robot applications have to face the common requirements of changeability and flexibility. The paper points out the challenges for safety and that dynamic reconfiguration and automated compilation of safety programs are not state of the art and not supported by international standards. On the other side HRC technologies and collaborative production scenarios, lead to more required knowledge and a higher complexity in creating safety programs. This paper gives an overview of the state of the art, how safety programs for robot applications are generated and what approaches and methods can be found to automate the program generation. The throughout this paper introduced approach for an automated safety configuration for robot applications is based on the information model of the application. The model consists of product, process, resource and hazard information. Combined with a safety function model and safety standards, it results in a proposed safety state machine as safety program. The throughout this paper introduced safety states are explained by an application example. The safety program is structured by safety states and implemented in a conventional way.

Nowadays, consumers are no longer merely satisfied with functional use of products. They are seeking for a kind of comprehensive experience which combines multisensory factors and takes the product-service system (PSS) as the carrier. Due to the lack of key information affecting user experience (UX) such as target users’ persona, PSS scenarios, interaction sequence and modality, the traditional product concept information model cannot effectively support UX-centered PSS development activities. In this respect, first, the process of UX formation and its influencing factors were analyzed. Second, the object-oriented and semantic network methods were employed to characterize the meta-design information related to UX, a Meta scenario interaction-centered model was proposed. Then the seven layers structure scenario interaction-centered conceptual information model to support UX design of PSS was constructed. It incorporates the semantic network as its basis and is particularly suitable for characterizing dynamic Interactive behaviors. Finally, a prototype modeling system for user-oriented PSS design concept was developed based on Neo4j graph database and a sweeping robot PSS conceptual modeling case was introduced to analyze the application prospect of this model.

Variability is crucial in the design of many advanced goods and it is also receiving increasing attention in production systems engineering. Since OPC Unified Architecture plays an important role when it comes to standardized information exchange in modern production systems, it can be a melting pot for information from various engineering domains, such as product design and production engineering — thus, it is an ideal place to hold variability information of products and production systems alike. Based on an initial variability information model we propose additional concepts for the persisting of configurations.

The emergence of cyber physical systems in the manufacturing domain creates new requirements for shop floor devices. Due to their diverse structure, buildup a seamless communication is one major challenge. In recent years, several communication standards, e.g., OPC-UA, tried to tackle this issue. Until now, they have not fully developed their potential, because of inherent implementation complexity and specific formats, although well-known modeling standards such as UML exist. The presented approach aims to overcome this complexity by enabling an automatic transformation from UML class diagrams to OPC-UA information models using ATL and by extending UML to guarantee information preserving transformations.

This paper presents an approach for persistent data backends for OPC UA namespaces. OPC UA as M2M protocol is used in various manufacturing machines and provides data access to e.g. sensors and setpoints. The central and persistent data storage for e.g. data-mining and condition-monitoring services in information technology infrastructures is challenging. Therefore, a holistic approach for storing OPC UA information in lightweight directory access protocol server is presented including a model for storing namespaces, information models and values in LDAP trees of scalable enterprise infrastructures to fulfil manufacturing and IT requirements in the context of Industry 4.0.

Manufacturing systems are currently being equipped with high-level application interfaces (e.g. OPC UA). Although these information models can be standardized by using domain-dependent standards (e.g. PLCopen), the semantics of services is hard to formalize. Especially in the industrial automation domain, current semantic service descriptions (e.g. SAWSDL) are not applicable as they are 1) too cumbersome to maintain & 2) not reusable. In this paper we show how component-based coupling mechanisms can be utilized by a novel bottom-up integration approach. This approach allows for (semi-) automated service coupling by relying on case-based component integration. A proof-of-concept is provided to show the technical feasibility.

In a world with increasing customer demands, manufacturing companies must develop and produce products more rapidly and adapt their production systems offline, to not disturb the ongoing processes. This creates a demand of using digital production development so that development can be performed in parallel with production. Virtual factory layouts (VFLs) are essential for companies in order to plan their factory layout and evaluate production scenarios. However, requirements for a VFL depends heavily on its purpose. For example, the requirements on a model for offline programming of robots are different from those on a model used to determine buffer locations. There is currently a lack of clear guidelines for how developed a VFL should be to fulfil said requirements, which contributes to unnecessary modelling time and variation in delivery quality. This paper aims to put the actual demands and requirements of a VFL in focus. By adapting a Level of Development-framework for establishment of Building Information Models (BIMs) and connecting it to the purpose of VFLs, development of a framework for detail and functionality level of VFLs is enabled. Such a purpose-oriented framework will help to define delivery packages suited for different circumstances, which will provide the modeler with knowledge of how much detail and functionality a specific model should contain. The increased clarity provided by the developed framework results in a clearer connection between expected result and actual output from a custom VFL project. Also, by connecting model properties or development to the model-purpose, the framework brings clarity and structure to a currently vague field. This provides means for a more efficient and accurate use of VFLs, which will support the rapid development of production facilities.

Sheet metal products are often designed without a systematic consideration of downstream product development requirements, such as process planning, manufacturability, production scheduling and manufacturing optimization. This can often result in a lot of expensive and time consuming reworks. Consequently, it affects the quality, cost and delivery time of the product. In this paper, a framework for developing a web - based feature recognition system (FRS) has been proposed to recognise bending features on a reconfigurable bending press machine (RBPM). The research explores the current literature and design approaches used to develop feature recognition systems in the current manufacturing industries. This model will help to offer a suitable method for designing a web based feature recognition system for sheet metal bending using RBPMs. This model will be applied to feature recognition systems in other manufacturing industries. The model consists of the integrated platform system, information model, part model, geometric modelling and the feature model. The proposed models will aid the designer right at the design stage with useful design and the feature recognition system. The designer will be able to relate process technology to product design instead of specifying the geometric definition alone. Design of these models will provide a more convenient design environment and an easier way to integrate CAD/CAM activities. After developing the model the designer will be able to use the CAD software to develop patterns, interpret drawings and transfer dimensions to sheet materials and sections to meet the required specification.

During the corner machining process of 5-axis flank milling, the sharp change of tool path and tool orientation may lead to a dramatic increase of the milling force and tool vibration, which gravely impacts the machining quality. In order to address this issue, a 5-axis flank milling tool path generation method for corners by considering the dynamic characteristics of machine tool is presented in this paper. To be specific, firstly, the allowance information model of corner is built according to the part model and roughing information. Secondly, the tool trajectory based on clothoid curve and milling force constraint is optimized. And then, the tool orientation based on tool trajectories is optimized. Finally, the 5-axis flank milling tool path is generated by considering the dynamic characteristics of machine tool and the milling force constraint. The remaining materials of corner can be removed uniformly using the proposed tool path, and the curvature of the tool path is continuous. Simulation results show that the machined surface of corner is smooth, and the proposed tool path is suitable for corner machining.

Current trends in manufacturing focus on the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The physical world and its virtual representation are increasingly converging, which leads to Cyber-Physical Production Systems (CPPS) in the manufacturing environment. CPPS synergize conventional production technology as well as ICT, allowing machines and products to exchange information, trigger actions and control other components autonomously. Therefore, seamless communication between physical objects of the shop floor and various computer systems is required. The Reference Architecture Model Industrie 4.0 (RAMI4.0) provided by the Plattform Industrie 4.0 specifies requirements for CPPS consisting of Industrie 4.0-components. In such systems, a major goal is to enable communication of I4.0 components among each other via industrial networks. For this purpose, RAMI4.0 suggests that each component has a virtual representation and uses Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) based communication with I4.0-semantics. This paper describes a systematic approach to OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) information model for representing the static and dynamic behavior of manufacturing systems. Moreover, the approach is generic in the sense that it can be used to define information models for multiple target technologies, such as OPC UA, MTConnect and others. It even allows to reuse large parts of the generated models for similar manufacturing utilities and various target technologies. Therefore, we first present a concept for system analysis and design by using the Unified Modeling Language (UML), which is widely accepted for interdisciplinary work. The information gathered is then transformed to OPC UA information models which serves as target technology in this paper. The purpose of this approach is to simplify the process of defining virtual representations of manufacturing systems. Applying the presented concept allows transformation of classic manufacturing systems into CPPS with SOA-based communication and semantically rich virtual representations of individual components. It is therefore well suited to meet the requirements specified by RAMI4.0.

The integration design approach for the Artificial Bone Scaffolds based on the Computer Aided Design (CAD), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is developed, and the multi-field coupling Scaffolds Modelling process is proposed. In modelling process, the complicated bone scaffolds can be designed with CAD tools, and FEA and CFD are the tools to analyse the mechanical and internal micro circulation properties. The CAD tools present the geometries and internal microstructure of bone scaffolds, and then export the models to CFD and FEA tools for properties analysis, such as the stress and strain of the blood against the channels, the flow velocity of blood. Three partial models composed the whole design approach, namely activity model, technical system model, and the information model. A special design case on the artificial bone scaffolds model demonstrates that this integration approach can facilitate to build the multi-physics fields coupled bone scaffolds.

Since the manufacturing process information and their mutual relationship are complex and diverse, the clear and accurate description and modeling of manufacturing process information is a challenge in related study of manufacturing process. Considering the diversity of the process data, a four-layer framework for manufacturing process information modeling based on metamodel is proposed. A 4-tuple manufacturing process information metamodel is specified and the concepts and relationships of the manufacturing process information are represented by UML. Following the four-layer hierarchical modeling procedures in the framework, manufacturing process information can be modeled from metamodel to model in consistence with their data relationships and representations. An instance of information model regarding to machining process is developed for verification. This work provides a systematic and standardized modeling method and information expression mechanism for manufacturing process information modeling.

We are studying “Local Oriented Manufacturing” (LOMan) as an approach for achieving social sustainability. LOMan is the concept to focus on the locality of manufacturing and use stages in design and manufacturing. For example, the usage of energy saving technology in developed countries to products for developing countries may lead to a win-win situation. The objective of this research is to propose a design methodology for LOMan. As the first step, this paper clarifies the issues of the design methodology by executing a field survey and case studies. The case studies compare refrigerators and vacuum cleaners in Malaysia and those in Japan. Then, based on these results, this paper proposes a method of knowledge representation for supporting the LOMan design. The method represents situations and circumstances of the product life cycle, a product, and influence of the situation to the product design by using value chain, product information model, and checklist, respectively. The method represents requirements for the LOMan design by the relationship among these three items.

Mixed Reality (MR) solutions for the manufacturing domain aim to support the construction, production and maintenance processes of factories, its equipment and products. Within the European project “INSITER”, Fraunhofer developed visualization solutions and MR prototypes aiming to provide relevant data for different stakeholders using Building Information Modeling (BIM)-based information. Planning data of production environments or construction sites is made available on site via MR. The main objective of the work presented in this paper, is to support planning processes as well as production and construction workflows with in-situ visualization of digital planning or process data in MR.

A Resource Description concept aims to support rapid design and reconfiguration of modular plug-and-produce type production systems. The developed information models for resource description describe formally and comprehensively the capabilities, interfaces, executable capabilities, and other characteristics of production resources. The proposed information model produces an integrated container of the resource information, as an extended and detailed electronic data sheet, and it can be applied in several phases of system design and commissioning. This paper introduces, through a set of value propositions and use cases, how different stakeholders can use and benefit from the Resource Description concept. publishedVersion

Distributed product development presents a particular challenge to the knowledge management in small and medium-sized companies. Barriers for information exchange arise from the separation of organisational units, separation of projects and separation of the development process. However, to make reliable decisions in the early phases of the development, information must be provided to designers gathering requirements and elaborating the product concept. In this paper, a methodical approach is presented, which aims on a better integration of information in value- added networks. The principal core of the approach is an information model, combining partial models of requirements, system components and suppliers. Introducing this with a web-based tool, a step towards better decisions in development could be made.

Life cycle design is a promising approach for introducing efficient resource circulation. In such design, there are difficulties in balancing demand and supply for resources throughout product life cycles. For the resource balance, it is important to design a product life cycle focusing on individual products and their parts, since they change their states diversely and flow along different circulation paths through their life cycles. This paper proposes a modelling method for the individual products and parts in addition to its design information. The design information is the nominal information of the product specified by designers. To achieve this, this paper defines three models; hierarchical structure model, life cycle flow model, and entity information model. Hierarchical structure model represents design information of a product. Life cycle flow model represents a network of processes included in product life cycles. Entity information model represents information of individual products and parts. The information indicates when each product and part flows along which circulation paths in which state. With this information, this method represents resource balance throughout product life cycles. Moreover, this study employs life cycle simulation technique to derive the entity information model from the hierarchical structure model and life cycle flow model. We demonstrate the proposed modelling method via its application to a smart phone in a case study.

This paper describes a test implementation of the Core Manufacturing Simulation Data (CMSD) information model and the integration and initialisation of a simulation model in a newly developed Simulation Engine. The cost of developing, implementing and using simulation technology is high. The costs of integrating simulation models with other manufacturing applications are even higher. There is always a need to enable data exchange and sharing between simulation applications and other software applications. The idea of the CMSD effort is to facilitate the above using neutral, reusable data structures for managing actual production operations and for simulating the performance of the manufacturing system. To address the problem of time consuming pre-coding for DES projects, a knowledge extraction tool is currently being developed. The knowledge extraction tool will read data from several resources of an organisation and output it in a format that is applicable for simulation purposes. The format that we adopted follows the CMSD standard in order to describe simulation related data. In this paper we present the modelling of a complex production line of our industrial partner with the CMSD standard and the development of the translator in ManPy so that it can read the CMSD information model and run the simulation.

According to ISO standards, the specification and verification of surface texture includes an ordered set of operations. In order to reduce the specification uncertainty, it is of importance to model the significant information related to surface measurement. This paper documents the development of a XML-based information model for surface metrology. Traditional paper-based documents with unstructured data are intergraded into one structured data for surface metrology. Therefore, it limits the specification uncertainty and enhances the reproducibility of surface measurement.

OPC UA (OPC Unified Architecture) is a platform-independent standard series (IEC 62541) [1] , [2] for communication of industrial automation devices and systems. The OPC Unified Architecture is an advanced communication technology for process control. Certainly the launching costs for the initial information model are quite high. AutomationML (Automation Markup Language) is an upcoming open standard series (IEC 62714) [3] , [4] for describing production plants or plant components. The goal of this contribution is to simplify the creation of OPC UA information models based on existing AutomationML data by examining the analogies between AutomationML and the OPC UA information model.

Remanufacturing is a promising end-of-life (EoL) recovery strategy to achieve a close-loop product lifecycle in sustainable product development. Product design can have substantial impact on product remanufacturability and product EoL recovery strategy. Existing studies on design-based remanufacturability assessment are either based on design charts or consideration of simple embodiment design features. This paper presents a feature-based approach for remanufacturability assessment using comprehensive CAD information, e.g., bill-of-material, mating features, tolerance and dimension, etc. For each product component, a generic information model is defined to manage critical design features for remanufacturability assessment, which include both inherent attributes of the component and interrelations among connected components. The proposed approach assesses two critical aspects in remanufacturing, namely, part disassembly and recovery. Design evaluation based on the remanufacturing assessment and part EoL recovery strategy can provide feedback to enhance the product design to be more in line for sustainable manufacturing. A case study of an automotive part is presented to validate the proposed approach.

Port hoisting equipment is associated with numerous salient characteristics like loads variation, complicated product composition and higher safety and reliability requirements. In addition to it, requirements of multiple standards are needed to be met during the entire product life cycle. There is a need of clear and thorough definition of requirements vis-a-vis design of port hoisting equipment, and at each life cycle stage, development activities are to be carried out. This paper discusses the classification of the requirement information of the hoisting equipment and defines the requirement features as well. This study also establishes requirement information model for port hoisting equipment by SysML and elaborates the requirement information within relationship by means of an example.

The specification of and justification for design parameter (DP) tolerances are primarily based on the acceptable variation of the functions’ performance and the functions’ sensitivity to the design parameters. However, why certain tolerances are needed is often not transparent, especially in complex products with multi-disciplinary development teams. In those cases, tolerance synthesis and analysis get complicated which introduces ambiguities and difficulties for system-integrators and lead engineers for the objective decision making in terms of trade-offs but also in terms of an efficient computer aided functional tolerancing. Non-optimal tolerances yield potentials for cost improvements in manufacturing and more consistency of the functional performance of the product. In this contribution a framework is proposed to overcome the observed problems and increase the clarity, transparency and traceability of tolerances by analyzing the translation between the DPs and their influence on the final function.

This paper presents an information model that facilitates responsive changes to the dynamics of machining features in 2.5/3D machining. The model consists of basic information that remains unchanged throughout the manufacturing process and also adaptive information that may be redefined in response to changes in manufacturing resources. A suite of solutions have been developed to enable adaptive feature interpretation to the real time process plans without frequently re-recognising and re-planning that is common in current industrial practice. Examples will be provided to demonstrate the feasibility and potential benefits of the developed methodology.

Following the algorithm based product development process, integral bifurcated sheet metal profiles are optimized. However mathematical optimized profiles do not contain information about manufacturing restrictions or additional information. Therefore many iterations between product development and manufacturing are necessary until the production of the profile. The following contribution introduces manufacturing restriction models and their integration as non-geometric information into mathematical optimized profiles to reduce the time costing iterations for adapting a profile.

The German term “Industrie 4.0” is distinguished by expanding networking and intelligence of machines, products and services In this context new business models are developed, many of them is based mainly on digital design and production data In this paper, a new concept for a technology data marketplace (TDMP) is presented, which allows trading manufacturing process data Digital data distribution involves various risks by hackers’ attacks, theft or manipulation of data So, the use of effective security methods and mechanisms is the key to the success of this TDMP At the same time authority, authenticity, privacy and availability of these machine data are highly required for secure use and confidential identities The scientific challenge is to develop a secure concept of technology data exchange between market members Furthermore providing machines with required data automatically from the marketplace is desired This distribution of data introduces a basic concept to exchange and protect production information In addition it discusses developing new business models based on existing resources, which create a new value stream in the industry.