Smart Factory Functionalities and Aim in Aviation

Aviation: Smart Factory, Functionalities and Aim

Abstract

A smart factory is a newly emerging trend within the manufacturing field that has already produced numerous benefits not only for the production companies but also for the consumers, stakeholders, and the sustaining the global competitive position. For aerospace manufacturers, it is imperative to know about the concepts, their aim, and benefits so that infusion of smart technology can be better understood. The process flows, systematic manufacturing processes and complexities in the entire supply chain are required for a flawless aerospace product within the high-mix production. Therefore, this paper aims at defining a smart factory, explaining its functionalities and the whole aim behind the concept. The benefits and its application in real-w0orl countries would help emphasize the realistic tendencies found in the literature. A conclusion is then developed by analyzing the information and creating its thinkable version in which the considerations for a better smart factory are presented for the next decade.

Aviation: Smart Factory, Functionalities and Aim

Definition of Smart Factory

The smart factory is the concept in manufacturing where digital technology is used for physical production and operations throughout the production unit (ABAS 2019). For making the supply chain easy to handle, digital technology is utilized to handle the big data efficiently and for better connectivity for all production areas through embedded sensors, automation, and machine learning.

Functionalities of Smart Factory

The functionalities of the smart factory in manufacturing are numerous. For example, it supports scanning barcodes, organizing online production machinery, and systematically synchronizing all the production machines for performing each step expediently. In hi-tech factories, drones are used for picking and dropping items near the production lines. For their operation, digital technology is used in such factories (ABAS 2019).

Without human intervention, the process is more error-free, which is the main function of smart factories. Although, operating these machines, such as drones, need human handling. However, there are steps within the production line that require zero error and the highest standardized finishing so that each item in the production line reaches the market in the same packed way as others. For this, testing and quality control are also done through smart factories and the technology used (ABAS 2019). Cameras and sensors are used for checking even deep inside the package whether the final items are suitably packed according to the rules and policies of the firm.

In smart factories, where there is human intervention, it should be noted that it is done to keep the data updated for the machines to work according to the guidelines in the production unit. The workforce handles the lack of connectivity by constantly analyzing the data set and reporting a problem with any digital connections (ABAS 2019). Still, the optimization from the warehouse to the end of the production line is done by smart technology used in smart factories.

It is researched that intelligent manufacturing could take place by integrating digital technology in smarter ways. For example, inventory predictions are now possible with real-time data integration, and purchase decisions are made accordingly. It helps reduce the over-storage of the inventory and more optimal alignment of the production schedule (ABAS 2019). For increased efficiency, sensors and devices that aid in monitoring are used to analyze the machine functions, ensuring process improvement automatically. The tasks previously handled by hymns repeatedly, such as picking and dropping things, are now handled by drones or robots.

Aim of the Concept

The aim of the concept of smart factories, especially for manufacturing, is to make factories and their production optimized, including the tools and processes and the supply chain functions on the shop floor. The integration of the entire system where devices, sensors, and robots work together for carrying out even those functions that became mundane and repetitive for the human employees, adding to their boredom, monotony, and dreariness related to the job is now taken care of by the smart factories (Sjodin et al., 2018). Although it might look that replacing human employees with machines would add to the unemployment rate, it is noteworthy that passive employees are not a positive contribution to the production firm as well.

The aim of the concept could also be attributed to flexibility and adaptability along with enhancement and upgrade. In modern terms, it is now considered the fourth industrial revolution, referred to as Industry 4.0 (Buchi, Cugno, and Castagnoli, 2020). The business models and strategies shaping this revolution are impacting stakeholder relations as well, which could be considered another aim of this concept. The wholesome influence that this concept would create over the business world and the society is about taking active initiatives, increasing awareness, formulating action plans, supporting the desired infrastructure for the production plants, etc.

Advantages of Smart Factory

The primary advantage of smart factories for manufacturing is adapting to new demands and staying competitive in the market. By creating a network of connected operations and devices, the production system would be able to fulfill the demands more speedily as it would be able to make use of a continuous stream of data promptly. The fourth industrial revolution is more demanding in terms of innovation and rivalry. The integration of industrial robotics, logic control of the programs and software, and the automated system of intelligent systems require a careful application for fruitful results (Sjodin et al., 2018).

An additional advantage of smart factories is that the utilization of smart concepts and machines has added to the productivity of firms by 17 to 20% (Phuyal, Bista, and Bista, 2020). It has become possible due to short response time, low cost, and reliability of the final products that reach the end consumer, even on a worldwide scale. The digitization in the cyber-physical control environment within the manufacturing units is conceivable with versatility in planning schedules, prompt fault identification, product customization, and recovery. Therefore, China has successfully used smart factories with digital manufacturing, robotics technology, big data processing, simulations, pliable manufacturing systems, data analytics, etc. That helps detect sudden supply chain faults or fluctuations for quick adjustments and avoidance of any possible disruptions.

The connectivity created with the ‘internet of things’ (IoT) is for the interaction required for the technological manufacturing devices and machines to work in harmony. The intelligent algorithm that works within assists in controlling the levers, pulleys, and other ongoing actions for the machines conducted by human employees before the fourth industrial revolution. With the infusion of technology for smart factories, time-saving has been ensured along with remote monitoring and inter-operations of numerous functions at a time.

Emphasis on Realistic Tendencies

The realistic examples of incorporation of smart technology for making smart factories have been first observed in Germany and China, particularly Germany, which is now known by the world for ‘technology revolution benchmark’ in the industrial sector (Phuyal, Bista, and Bista, 2020). The digital connection for the machines and their processes produces an interconnection and an autonomous factory that can run independently. It might be a production-technical challenge in such factories. Still, to gain global competitiveness and meet global demands, the innovation of business models with the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is required that recently has posed pressure on factories to become smart factories.