An ontology to integrate process-based approach in ZDM strategies in a Digital Twin framework

Abstract

The current context of Industry 4.0 is characterized by challenges that were not present in the past like greater variability, higher customization and greater complexity. To address these challenges and the increasing need from companies to focus on sustainability-related issues is necessary to adopt a quality improvement method. In this paper, the method considered is Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) a “tool” which shows considerable potential, but needs some auxiliary technologies to operate. In this regard, the model proposed is an ontology based on a pre-existent ontology. This new ontology is capable of applying Detect and Repair strategies to go with the creation of a Digital Twin of the product. The realized ontology can be used to support decision-making in an industrial context: in fact, it provides to any operator in the production process, an indication about the quality of the product, also advising some corrective actions if needed, like the repair or the disassembly of the product and the subsequent recycling of the good quality components. To obtain this outcome, an analysis of the literature was performed to determine the gaps present in the literature, then an ontology editor allowed the creation of the ontology and, finally, the ontology was validated in the context of Industry 4.0 Laboratory at the Politecnico di Milano. In this environment, the proposed solution was populated with the data coming from the servers, determining the quality of the product as a function of the state of product components and the condition of one of the assets installed in the production line.