CONTEXT AWARE COMPUTING LEVERAGES THE INDUSTRIAL INTERNET OF THINGS (IIOT) TO CREATE A RICH DIGITAL CONTEXT AND WEAVE THE DIGITAL THREAD FOR AUTOMATED AND OPTIMIZED DECISION MAKING IN COMPOSITES MANUFACTURING

摘要

Composite component fabrication requires real-time decisions based on a long and growing listrnof variables and constraints. As production volumes and complexity increase, suppliers are facedrnwith more unforeseen problems, and have less time and ability to make optimized decisions.rnTheory and practice show, that the more variables considered in solving a problem, the better thernpotential result. However, in attempts to consider the ‘big picture’, human beings reach theirrnlimit at some point, and resort to solving only parts of the challenge, with or without a softwarerndesigned to address that sub-problem.rnCurrently, integrating this vast and diverse amount of data into a global view of the process isrnvery difficu typically each data set is analyzed in its own software package, limiting the abilityrnto integrate the multiple data types and detect inefficiencies and process issues that might triggerrnproduction delays.rnIntegrating Intelligent, context-aware software, based on the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)rnrepresents dramatic opportunities as new sensor technologies collect vast amounts of data in realrntime, creating a rich digital context that starts with design engineers and is continuously builtrnthrough the entire lifecycle of the product.rnThis ‘digital thread’ weaves a single integrated stream of digital data that makes informationrnfrom the entire life cycle available and visible to all stakeholders. This would include – amongrnother information - asset location (including pre-preg rolls, kits and assemblies), assets’ statusrnand availability (including tools, machines, autoclaves and personnel), exposure timerninformation of parts, kits and assemblies, as well as full genealogical information for each assetrnor resource, from the moment it was first created, throughout production and beyond into MROrn(maintenance, repair, and overhaul). The digital thread model is enabled by the IIoT abilities andrnsupports full traceability of each part, starting at the raw material phase and through itsrnfabrication on the production floor, for later stage auditability and significantly shorter crisisrnmanagement should a defect occur or be discovered along the way. This paper will demonstrate how greater digital context enables better decision making, whilernreducing risk and pushing the productivity envelope; how weaving the digital thread is crucialrnfor reducing rework, scrap, as well as enhancing quality & quality control to ensure compliancernwith strict OEM’s (Original Equipment Manufacturer) regulations and on-time delivery.