AUTOmated production and assembly SYStems

The underlying idea of the project is enhancement of engineering-to-order (ETO) manufacturing and business processes in Norwegian SME companies to develop and introduce customized production and assembly systems through implementation of the Industry 4.0 principles. In order to remain competitive in a globalized environment, Norwegian ETO companies need to constantly evolve their production and assembly systems to be able to produce customized products. Following ETO strategy, mass customization requires rethinking of the processes along the whole supply chain, but the need for change is especially pronounced in design and management of production and assembly systems. To become an ETO supplier of customized production and assembly systems often entails a complete transformation of the company. Industry 4.0 can support this transformation thanks to the digital technologies such as Cyber-Physical Systems, Internet of Things (IoT), Internet of Services (IoS), Robotics, Big Data, Cloud Manufacturing and Augmented Reality. However, such transformation, together with integrating of the machines which have already been in use, into a innovative production and assembly system, is challenging. In this connection, the following main challenges will be faced: 1. How to design and implement innovative customized production and assembly systems, 2. Planning of customized production and assembly systems in the era of big data, 3. How to integrate analogous production equipment into innovative production and assembly line with minimal losses, 4. What is the business models for SME manufacturers and system suppliers in the Industry 4.0 era. The solutions found within the project will help Ameka AS to become a System Supplier 4.0, i.e. a competitive manufacturer of customized production and assembly systems. This will have impact not only to Ameka and their customers portfolios, but will also contribute to growths of Norwegian industry, which generally consists of SME enterprises.