The transformation to a networked factory

MetamoFAB guides manufacturing companies on the path to Industry 4.0

How can companies evolve their manufacturing activities in the direction of a smart, networked factory in line with Industry 4.0? In the MetamoFAB project, Fraunhofer IAO and its cooperation partner, the Institute for Human Factors and Technology Management IAT at the University of Stuttgart, are working closely with other partners from industry and research to find the answers.

People often use the term Industry 4.0 to describe the concept of networked factories in which people and machines use smart systems to communicate with each other. As part of this concept, companies can introduce cyber-physical systems (CPS) to create more versatile manufacturing conditions while increasing the flexibility of their production and logistics.

But the transition to Industry 4.0 will not happen overnight. The necessary changes must embrace people, machines, workpieces and information technology – and there is a need to prepare companies for the paradigm shift to Industry 4.0 by taking them through an introductory process. Without transparent CPS implementation strategies, companies cannot hope to evolve into the smart manufacturing companies of tomorrow and avoid severe disruption to their operations in the process.

MetamoFAB is a research project that aims to developing models, methods and tools to help manufacturing companies make the transition to smart, networked factories by implementing CPS to boost productivity in their existing factories.

The groundwork for this transformation involves mapping out the vision of a networked factory with CPS using three use cases – “Manufacturing automation technology,” “Semiconductor manufacturing,” and “Manufacturing electrical engineering components.” The solutions will be demonstrated in real-life conditions at industry partners’ sites.

A total of eight select industry and research partners are working to make MetamoFAB a success. With funding from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as part of its “Research for the Manufacturing of Tomorrow” concept, the project is coordinated by Project Management Agency Karlsruhe (PTKA) and is contributing to the German federal government’s “Industrie 4.0” initiative.

More Information:

www.iao.fraunhofer.de/lang-en/business-areas/technology-innovation-management/1090-the-transformation-to-a-networked-factory

Fraunhofer IAO

The basis for all work undertaken at the Fraunhofer IAO is a deep conviction that business success in a globalised arena is contingent on an ability to profitably leverage new high-tech potentials. In order to optimally exploit these opportunities, companies must be capable of developing and implementing customer and employee-oriented technologies faster than their competitors. Work organisation concepts must be simultaneously innovative and anthropocentric. A systematic design, in other words, is the outcome of pooled management and technical expertise. This holistic perspective when it comes to project processing ensures that equal consideration is given to commercial success, employees' interests and social consequences.

Through its close cooperation with the Institute for Human Factors and Technology Management (IAT) of the University of Stuttgart, Fraunhofer IAO unites basic university research with applied science and business practice.

Contact:
Manuel Kern
R&D Management
Fraunhofer IAO
Nobelstraße 12
70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Phone +49 711 970-2322
Email manuel.kern@iao.fraunhofer.de

Erdem Gelec
R&D Management
Fraunhofer IAO
Nobelstraße 12
70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Phone +49 711 970-2055
Email erdem.gelec@iao.fraunhofer.de

This release was published on openPR.