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  • Essay / Industry 4.0: Transition from automation to cyber-physical system

    Industry 4.0 makes possible the creation of a smart factory, based on specific characteristics of flexibility and self-reconfiguration. Therefore, as we have seen, there is one primary technology that makes this possible, and that is the cyber-physical system in production. CPPS is a system that harnesses the incredible computing power offered by AI and transfers data in real time at speeds never before seen. The main difference between current automation systems and CPS is that the latter significantly reduces the need to replan and refresh procedures and processes over time, given environmental uncertainties. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay Therefore, it is not simple as we can imagine, in fact we will see that companies and researches face to many challenges and threats in order to achieve a solid, reliable and easy to disseminate technology. In this paragraph, we will study the profound differences and transition from standard automation machines to advanced modularity systems based on CPS. The goal is to view this passage from an academic and practical perspective, as we are going to talk about sophisticated technologies based on the flexibility made possible by unique interfaces that communicate and exchange data with each other. Considering the fact that the cyberphysical system in production is a new and revolutionary technology based on a modularity system. Where the modules communicate with each other. Thus, the primary results provide an overview of the architecture and a glossary of terms and functionality of the system in general. Deepening the features and results in the following paragraphs. We can begin to say that the basics of the Cyber ​​Physical System in production are mainly three in number, without any degree of importance. Human capital, manufacturing plant composed of a set of machines and elements, and final products. These three things work together, communicate and exchange information. The data created will be used by CPS to monitor and control manufacturing procedures and processes and the entire lifespan of the products in terms of reliability and satisfaction. The enormous amount of data produced must be translated into knowledge that will be used at different times and at different levels within organizations. From the operations it is possible to give important information for resource management in terms of available hardware resources and energy consumption. Furthermore, as we have seen, Industry 4.0 expresses its potential when applied to the business network, these relationships produce information that can translate into new capabilities and skills to improve processes. Through the words above, we have represented the project and the execution of a system composed of other subsystems that we can call modules, which communicate with each other by constituting forms of relationships of different types in terms of degree and finality. Thus, by studying a modular architecture, we will analyze a set of modules which are absorbed by a series and not by a single task. In addition, they are linked and communicate with each other via different interfaces. The modules of a cyberphysical system are composed of three integrated and interconnected parts: machines that operate inside the factory, a service platform application that monitors the environment in real time and finally a virtual representationof reality. The service platform application has built-in computing power, it is able to reproduce reality in virtual space, at the same time providing communication and analysis capabilities to each party inside of the production plant. It's the revolution, the modules communicate and respond alone to environmental changes without any reprogramming. These are the main characteristics that a Smart Factory composed of CPS, self-organization and self-adaptation must have. Above, we have described a system that is capable of lasting over time. This is a characteristic that we can call lead-time adaptation, because factories are thus able to react and anticipate changes in a positive way. The last can refer to a series of things that are within and outside the control of companies. Think about changes in products, both in terms of hardware design or computing capabilities, in the way of working inside the production plant, therefore a revolution inside the structure, and finally a radical change in customer demand due to preferences or legal impositions. These are threats that businesses face today, and with a modular, self-adapting system, this is possible. Thus, we are going to list the most important functionalities that a reconfigurable factory integrating Cyber ​​Physical System technology presents. They are different and all have the self-reconfiguration feature. First of all, in terms of flexibility, the system presents the ability to change the plan and execution of the production process in terms of the type of products and not just the single product. In case of changes in the volume of market demand, the system is always ready to react and manage material resources and machines. The system is made up of modules, which will be used at different rates depending on the needs of the case. In the event that new modules are acquired, such as new machines, it is essential that these are integrated in a short time in order to be immediately available for work. Finally, the last characteristic, but probably the most important, concerns analytical capabilities in order to react to disruptions. Keeping in mind the characteristics and capabilities of a cyber-physical system in production, it is now possible to introduce a comparison between classic automated solutions and CPPS in production. different terms. From the concept of module, it is possible to analyze the number, purpose and size of its action space. Thus, we can observe the structural architecture of modules of different complexity depending on the size of their final actuation span. The outcome of primary importance in a system composed of modules is how they interact with each other. In fact, it is possible to define specific relationship interfaces to select a finite or infinite communication mode and the autonomy rate between modules. Cyberphysical systems have different rates of autonomy, feasibility, and complexity. In fact, when designing the system, it is possible to provide different autonomy rates and interaction interfaces with the modules, in order to self-organize the system. In any case, the result will be completely different from classic automation solutions where there is no room for self-organization. Therefore, we will see a level of autonomy that is not yet possible with existing technologies and regulations. Finally, as we said previously, existing technologies are not always able to support CPS in the implementation and execution of amodular system. It is therefore essential to research and find the best possible supporting technologies for digitalization and intelligent processes. Different Results for Different Objectives In the above paragraph, we briefly saw the characteristics of a CPPS system. We now want to give some information on classic automated solutions, in order to make a comparison between the two systems, and how to switch from one system to the other. Starting from conventional automated solutions, we can see in all cases a deep commitment in the design phase. This can be considered the part that requires the most time and effort, especially the installation phase of machines and facilities. The design and therefore the creation of these systems are based on hierarchical relationships between the parties. It provides for vertical surveillance and control, without any sort of autonomy or horizontal communication between the parties. These solutions are not based on the reconfigurability of the system, but on the contrary on personalized solutions, provided by a specialized supplier. If there is a need for changes within the structure, these solutions suffer from the problem of reprogramming and therefore a waste of time and money. Automated solutions result from production methods capable of exploiting its efficiency to the maximum under stable conditions. In this type of automated solution, there are controllers throughout the production line, but this is not generalized as in CPPS through service platform applications and intelligent modules. In fact, in the event of problems in the production process, it may happen that a large part of the installation remains isolated and must stop the work it is carrying out. Thus, the lack of flexibility, reconfigurability and convertibility capabilities is obvious. Over time, the reprogramming of existing installations has been considered one of the most important features of an automated system, in case of revolutionary changes and therefore new adaptations. But reconfiguring means stopping the production process, losing time, possible profits and a market field satisfied at those times by other companies or competitors. The all-important result changes the main pillar from reprogramming to reconfigurability or a flexible system that allows self-organization and self-organization. adaptation. CPS-based production systems are programmed to be flexible. Thanks to their main characteristic, modular systems are capable of managing numerous product families. Product customization is one of the main objectives of Industry 4.0 and CPS makes it possible to produce a large series of products by reducing the time required to program a machine to almost zero. As one can imagine, flexible manufacturing systems, until now, thanks to conventional automated systems, do not reach an acceptable level in terms of productivity, production time and costs. Indeed, to have a certain reliability rate, these systems require a dedicated solution in order to manage a huge quantity of products and different families at the same time without blocking the production process. On the other hand, thanks to CPS, personalization is not yet a mirage. Researchers and even businesses stick to a conventional automated solution that is easier to monitor and analyze. Because everything is structured according to a hierarchical architecture, a fairly simple result for analyzing the causes and effects of such systems. We can summarize by saying that all movements inside the factory can be predicted,