Automated recuperation and stock refilling in an industry 4.0 training production line

Abstract

Industry 4.0 is the current automation and data exchange trend in manufacturing. It focuses on automation, efficiency, connectivity and data gathering. The smart innovative factory (SIF) 400 by SMC International Training simulates a smart production line to inspire and teach the key concepts of Industry 4.0. It integrates the order management, production, storage and shipment of goods.

The SIF-400 is a modular system, consisting of 13 stations, from which 12 form a connected production line. The last, physically separated station, is used to disassemble the end-products back to the raw materials, in order to achieve reusability. Currently, the recuperation of end-products and the refilling of raw materials have to be done manually by an operator, which is time and labour consuming.

This Master’s thesis deals with this problem by integrating an automated guided vehicle (AGV) in combination with a mobile application within the SIF-400’s environment. The AGV is used to transport end-products and raw materials between stations when critical stock levels are reached. Besides, the mobile application is used to notify operators when a transfer between the AGV and a station, or the inverse operation, is required. Furthermore, the resources are controlled by a centralized control service, which manages the communications and takes logical decisions. Hence, this thesis results in the integration of an AGV in an existing Industry 4.0 production system, which currently offers an efficient and expandable transport solution.