Скачать или смотреть [EP25a - 9 min. in English] Smart Manufacturing: A Practical Guide for SMEs (Prof. Shihmin Lo, NCNU)

[EP25a - 9 min. in English] Smart Manufacturing: A Practical Guide for SMEs (Prof. Shihmin Lo, NCNU)

The discussion on smart manufacturing for SMEs emphasized practical strategies to implement digital twin technology without significant investment. The host highlighted the "great divide" between IT and OT, causing system gaps and high-tech barriers. Professor Lo's framework suggests three core modules: IT systems, design and data, and manufacturing floor. Key strategies include using lightweight MES and IIoT tools, modular platforms, retrofitting old equipment, and starting with a single production line. A phased three-year roadmap was proposed: Year 1 focuses on foundational tools, Year 2 on data integration, and Year 3 on advanced applications like AI-powered scheduling and predictive maintenance.

Outline
[1] Smart Manufacturing Introduction and Digital Twin Concept
• The Host introduces the topic of smart manufacturing, emphasizing its practical benefits for small and medium-sized businesses.
• The concept of a digital twin is explained as a virtual copy of the entire factory, updated in real-time, enabling simulations and problem-spotting without physical presence.
• The Host highlights the disconnect between IT (information technology) and OT (operational technology) in most SMEs, causing significant operational challenges.
• The four major headaches identified by Professor Lo, Shihmin, include system gaps, high-tech barriers, software dilemmas, and people problems.

[2] Professor Lo's Framework and Practical Solutions
• The Host introduces Professor Lo's framework, which breaks down factory operations into three core modules: front-end IT systems, design and data, and back-end manufacturing.
• The goal is to ensure seamless information flow from front to back, enabling better coordination and optimization.
• Speaker 1 discusses practical solutions, starting with the retrofitting of old machines using IoT gateways to enable network connectivity.
• The importance of starting with lightweight, modular tools rather than complex, expensive MES systems is emphasized, with examples of successful implementations.

[3] Real-World Examples and Strategies for Success
• Speaker 1 shares a story of a mold manufacturer in Taichung that used an IoT gateway to connect old CNC machines to modern systems.
• The benefits of starting with small, manageable projects, such as a parts supplier in Kaohsiung that implemented a lightweight work-reporting module, are highlighted.
• The Host discusses the cost-effective alternative of using cloud-based PDM systems for product data management, providing an example from a mold factory in New Taipei.
• Five key strategies for success are outlined: starting with lightweight MES and IIoT tools, choosing modular platforms, retrofitting old equipment, partnering with outside experts, and starting with a single production line.

[4] Phased Three-Year Roadmap for Smart Factory Journey
• The Host presents a practical, phased three-year roadmap for implementing smart manufacturing.
• Year one focuses on laying the foundation by introducing easy-to-use MES and IIoT tools and setting up a pilot line.
• Year two involves integration, using cloud platforms and standard protocols to connect different software systems.
• By year three, advanced applications like AI-powered scheduling and predictive maintenance can be leveraged, building on the solid data foundation established in the previous years.

[5] Final Thoughts and Encouragement
• The Host emphasizes the importance of a step-by-step approach, starting small and building on success to avoid overwhelming the team.
• The goal is not an overnight transformation but a gradual, manageable journey towards a smart factory.
• The Host encourages businesses to start listening to the data their factories are generating, as it holds valuable insights into operational efficiency and potential improvements.
• The meeting concludes with a reminder that every second, the factory is producing data that can tell a story about its performance and hidden potential.