Evaluation of Industry 4.0 Applications in Production

Robert Joppen,Arno Kühn,Magdalena Förster,Roman Dumitrescu

doi:10.1007/s13132-022-00959-2

Robert Joppen, Arno Kühn + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-022-00959-2

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Abstract

Industry 4.0 promises many potentials in production. Examples are a data-driven optimization of production processes of individual machines, driverless transport systems, and assistance systems. Nevertheless, companies are still hesitant to invest in Industry 4.0 applications. Studies show that one of the main reasons for that is the unclear economic benefit. In this work, we present a systematic approach for the evaluation of Industry 4.0 applications in production. The main goal of the systematic is to create transparency over the evaluation process of an investment in an Industry 4.0 application in production. The evaluation of a concrete technical solution in an existing production system is supported. As a theoretical foundation, a characterization of investments in Industry 4.0 applications is given. From that, a procedure model is derived. It puts the activities to be carried out, the tools to be used and results in a temporal context. The application of the systematic is shown on the basis of an application example.

Highlights

Potentials of Industry 4.0Today, manufacturing companies are more exposed than ever to global competition (Brecher et al, 2011)
This paper presents a systematic approach for the evaluation of investments in Industry 4.0 applications in production
The vision Industry 4.0 with its three aspects of vertical integration, horizontal integration, and comprehensive systems engineering shows how investments in Industry 4.0 applications can have a cross-departmental impact. This represents a great challenge for an investment evaluation of corresponding investments

Summary

Introduction

Today, manufacturing companies are more exposed than ever to global competition (Brecher et al, 2011). There is a lack of a systematic approach to the evaluation of Industry 4.0 applications in an existing production system, which meets the requirements of small and medium-sized enterprises. This paper presents a systematic approach for the evaluation of investments in Industry 4.0 applications in production. Three overarching aspects of Industry 4.0 can be shown with the help of the automation pyramid: vertical and horizontal integration and comprehensive systems engineering (Dumitrescu et al, 2015). Vertical integration represents the linking of IT systems on the different hierarchical levels of a company These range from the field level via the control and process control level to the management level. Interdisciplinarity and a holistic approach to problems are essential (Dumitrescu et al, 2015)

Conclusion

Current Methods

Findings

Procedure Model of the Systematic