Introduction

The Korea-German Intelligent Manufacturing System Laboratory (IMSL) aims to establish an intelligent manufacturing system that can predict and diagnose manufacturing system information. Seoul National University and Fraunhofer IPT/Aachen University in Germany are working together to develop the integrated digital twin model applicable to the manufacturing site and demonstrate it with manufacturing equipment.

The ultimate objective of this research is to investigate a comprehensive Digital Twin model that can be applied to manufacturing sites, and to validate it using manufacturing equipment. Along with the study on various manufacturing processes and sensors for data collection, the collected data is integrated into a cloud-based manufacturing digital twin through IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things). The Digital Twin is promoted to implement the four core manufacturing metrics: productivity, reliability, energy/cost efficiency, and quality. It performs autonomous decision-making by integrating these factors. The decision-making results from the Digital Twin are then fed back into the manufacturing process, thereby implementing an autonomous Smart Factory.

The project team also investigated ‘Appropriate Smart Factory’ technology that makes it possible to utilize legacy equipment in the Smart Factory setting. This initiative is aimed at enhancing the usability and interoperability of existing resources, maximizing efficiency, and ensuring a seamless transition towards digitalization, without necessitating extensive initial investments into completely new equipment.