Production environments worldwide transform themselves in order to take the best advantage of the Industry 4.0 guidelines. Automation, data exchange, cyber-physical systems, the IoT, cloud and cognitive computing represent a step in the unknown to these companies, associated with high risks and also the need to restructure their culture. If the execution route is not clearly defined and understandable to all levels of employees, the renovation is too long. The maturity models can be used for the assessment of current Industry 4.0 maturity level, but the practical use of scores and assessed level often requires the involvement of consulting firms. Companies can avoid the involvement of consulting companies with the use of complementary tools. In this paper, we propose a new methodology that combines the Industry 4.0 maturity model and discrete-event simulation tools in the case of steel production company with the possibility of generalization. The combination of these tools in the first step helps the company to assess its current level of maturity for Industry 4.0, and in the second step helps to consider about strengths and weaknesses of possible scenarios for transition to a higher level of maturity.
Smart glasses are a kind of Head Mounted Display (HMD) with great potential in Industry 4.0 working environments, where shop floor workers must be supplied with critical information in a timely, accessible and safe manner to be as productive as possible. Smart glasses collect data from a wireless network and project it on a tiny screen before the user's eye. Despite several benefits, such as hands-free access to computer-generated info, routeing to storage locations, eliminating the need to carry handheld scanners or written documents, there are also possible problems evidenced from the literature. HMD can cause headaches, pressure in the eyes, problems with focusing and difficulties with text reading. To study the addressed problems, a research was performed together with Ophthalmologists from Maribor Healthcare Centre. The effects of using Vuzix M300 Smart glasses on users' comfort during order picking activities were researched in a testing warehouse environment at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Maribor. The testing period lasts four hours. Several ophthalmologic tests (visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, visual field testing and colour test) were performed before and after use of smart glasses. Results show that there are some statistically significant differences before and after use of smart glasses in users' visual acuity and, surprisingly, a high percentage of scotomas in the right eye (where the projection of smart glasses was performed) after use of smart glasses that cannot be overlooked.
The realisation of the ideas of smart factories and sustainable manufacturing can be quickly realised in companies where industrial production is high-volume, low-mix. However, it is more difficult to follow trends toward industry 4.0 in craft industries such as tooling. This kind of work environment is a challenge for the deployment of sustainability and smart technologies because many stages involve the so-called “manual processing according to the worker’s feeling and experience.” With the help of literature review and testing in the production environment, we approach the design of a procedure for planning a sustainable technological upgrade of craft production. The best method proved to be a combination of a maturity model, process mapping with flowcharts, critical analysis, and customised evaluation model. Workplace flexibility, as a move towards sustainability, is presented in a laboratory environment on screwing performed by human wearing HoloLens and collaborative robot.
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