Kongress- und Tagungsbeiträge

Modulare Produktionssysteme sollen die traditionelle Fließbandproduktion in der Automobilindustrie ablösen. Die Idee dabei ist, dass sich hochgradig individualisierte Produkte dynamisch und autonom durch ein System flexibler Arbeitsstationen bewegen können. Dieser Ansatz stellt hohe Anforderungen an die Planung und Organisation solcher Systeme. Da jedes Produkt seinen Weg durch das System frei und individuell bestimmen kann, kann die Implementierung von Regeln und Heuristiken, die die Flexibilität des Systems zur Leistungssteigerung ausnutzen, in diesem dynamischen Umfeld schwierig sein. Transportaufgaben werden in der Regel von fahrerlosen Transportsystemen (FTS) ausgeführt. Daher bietet die Integration von KI-basierten Steuerungslogiken eine vielversprechende Alternative zu manuell implementierten Entscheidungsregeln für den Betrieb der FTS. In diesem Beitrag wird ein Ansatz für den Einsatz von Reinforcement Learning (RL) in Kombination mit Simulation vorgestellt, um FTS in modularen Produktionssystemen zu steuern. Darüber hinaus werden Untersuchungen zu dessen Flexibilität und Skalierbarkeit durchgeführt.

In this paper, we present a new framework for process optimizations, the Data Analytics Production Line Optimization Model (DAPLOM). Due to increasing efforts in the digitalization of production systems, an extensive amount of production data is available for analytics. This data can be used for the optimization of production lines and the prediction of their performance (e.g. drift of parameters or component quality) in order to achieve economic and technical improvements. The demand for systematical usage of data-driven methods involving technologies like Data Analytics and Machine Learning and the combination of engineering approaches is growing continuously.DAPLOM guides the implementation process of IT supported problem-solving solutions in production environments. It combines classical process- with data-driven approaches. Specific focus lies on achieving a holistic perspective with a macro- as well as a microscopic view on the given conditions. Here the macroscopic view covers the general material flow, whereas microscopic view considers process details. Additionally, DAPLOM provides useful methods in a step-by-step procedure structured in seven phases. The framework is validated in an industrial use case of an automated wire bending process. Thus, the effectiveness of the framework is demonstrated and further development potentials are identified.

Data Farming combines large-scale simulation experiments with high performance computing and sophisticated big data analysis methods. The portfolio of analysis methods for those large amounts of simulation data still yields potential to further development, and new methods emerge frequently. Especially the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence is difficult, since a lot of those methods are very good at approximating data for prediction, but less at actually revealing their underlying model of rules. To overcome the lack of comprehensibility of such black-box algorithms, a discipline called explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) has gained a lot of traction and has become very popular recently. This paper shows how to extend the portfolio of Data Farming output analysis methods using XAI.

The concept of the Digital Twin in the context of Industry 4.0 is omnipresent in research concerning manufacturing. However, the understanding of the term varies between applications. Although scholars have previously reviewed research on the topic, a consensus was never reached. Therefore, this paper attempts to compare existing reviews relating to the Digital Twin with the purpose of detecting prevalent as well as contrasting views on key issues. It elucidates commonalities in terminology, conceivable benefits as well as remaining research issues. Hence, it provides a conceptual outline of the Digital Twin that further research can build upon.

Several concepts for digital-physical connection exist in literature and practice. This paper provides an overview over prevalent concepts. It characterises their specific attributes and places them in contrast with each other. Furthermore, it describes the major benefits as well as the most critical issues in the implementation of these concepts. These potential benefits and issues might then also serve as indicators for further research. From a practical perspective, this paper introduces a straightforward procedure to indicate the appropriate and most efficient concept for any specific implementation of a digital-physical connection system. It bases this indication on the specific requirements of the application.