Virtual Factory Manager

Abstract

The current challenges in manufacturing engineering are the integration of the product/process/factory worlds (data and tools) and the synchronization of their lifecycles. Major ICT players already offer allcomprehensive Product Lifecycle Management suites supporting most of the processes. However, they do not offer all the required functionalities and they lack of interoperability. An answer will be given by the development of a Virtual Factory Framework (VFF): an integrated virtual environment that supports factory processes along all the phases of its lifecycle. This paper will focus on the Virtual Factory Manager (VFM) that acts as a server supporting the I/O communications within the framework for the software tools needing to access its data repository. The VFM will ensure data consistency and avoid data loss or corruption while different modules access/modify partial areas of the data repository at different times. Finally, an industrial case study will show the potentiality of the VFM.

User-Guided Visual Analysis of Cyber-Physical Production Systems

“…Simulation and evaluation software for products and material flows can be applied in order to analyze processes and their changes. However, such software tools require specific know-how and qualified personnel to use them and to keep them up to date, and are not specialized on engineering changes [10].…”

Semantic Virtual Factory supporting interoperable modelling and evaluation of production systems

“…The Virtual Factory Framework (VFF) can be defined as "An integrated collaborative virtual environment aimed at facilitating the sharing of resources, manufacturing information and knowledge, while supporting the design and management of all the factory entities, from a single product to networks of companies, along all the phases of the their life-cycles" [16].…”

Context Aware E-Support in E-Maintenance

“…Mobile and collaborative technologies are enabling information and services to become available to the shop floor technical personnel, anywhere and anytime [12]. Furthermore, the concept of a Virtual Factory as an integrated virtual environment that facilitates knowledge and information sharing throughout all industrial production phases is offered as an open alternative to costly proprietary solutions for platform independent monitoring of production assets [13]. A learning engine capable of delivering learning material in the form of 3D knowledge objects to pilots and maintenance technicians in an aviation setting, emphasising access of maintenance technicians to "Learning on Demand (LoD)" instructions and trouble shooting references is an effective training enabler [14].…”