Industry 4.0 makes it possible to create a Smart Factory, based on specific characteristics of flexibility and self-reconfiguration. Therefore, as we have seen there is one main technology that makes this possible, it is the Cyber Physical System in production. CPPS is a system that takes advantage of the incredible computational power given by artificial intelligence and the transfer of data in real time at a speed never seen before. The main difference between current automation systems and CPS is that the latter dramatically reduces the need to reprogram and re-actualize procedures and processes over time, given environmental uncertainties. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on 'Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned'? Get an original essay So, it is not as simple as we can imagine, in fact we will see that companies and researches face many challenges and threats in order to create a solid, reliable and easy to spread technology. In this paragraph we will study the profound differences and the transition from standard automation machines to CPS-based advanced modularity systems. The goal is to see this transition from an academic and practical point of view, because we will talk about sophisticated technologies based on flexibility made possible by individual interfaces that communicate and exchange data with each other. As the cyber physical system in production is a new and revolutionary technology based on the modularity system. Where the modules communicate with each other. Therefore, it is of primary importance to provide an overview of the architecture and a glossary of terms and characteristics of the system in general. We will delve deeper into features and results in the next paragraphs. We can start by saying that the bases of Cyber Physical Systems in production are mainly three, without any degree of importance. Human capital, production plant as a set of machines and subjects, and final products. All three of these things work together, communicate and exchange information. The data created will be used by CPS in order to monitor and control procedures and processes in the production and throughout the life of the products in terms of reliability and satisfaction. The enormous amount of data produced must be translated into knowledge that will be used at different times and levels within organizations. From the operations it is possible to obtain important information for resource management in terms of available material resources and energy consumption. Furthermore, as we have seen, Industry 4.0 expresses its potential when applied to business networks, these relationships produce information that can be translated into new capabilities and skills to improve processes. With the words reported above we have represented the design and execution of a system composed of other subsystems which can be called modules, which communicate with each other constituting forms of relationships of different types in terms of degree and purpose. Therefore, by studying a modular architecture we will analyze a set of modules that are absorbed by a series and not by a single task. Furthermore, they are connected and communicate with each other through different interfaces. The modules within a Cyber Physical System are composed of three integrated and interconnected parts: machines that operate within the factory, service platform applications that monitor the environment in real time, and finally a virtual representation of reality . The service platform application is equipped with computing power, it is capable of reproducing reality in virtual space, while providing communication and analysis capabilities to each party within the production plant. This is the revolution, the modulesthey communicate and respond to environmental changes on their own without any need for reprogramming. These are the main characteristics that a Smart Factory composed of CPS, self-organization and self-adaptation must have. Above, we have described a system that is capable of lasting over time. This is a characteristic that we can call run-time adjustment, because in this way factories are able to react and anticipate changes in a positive way. The latter can refer to a number of things that are in and out of companies' control. Think about changes in product parts in terms of both material design and computational capabilities, the way of working within the manufacturing plant, then a revolution within the facility, finally a dramatic change in customer demands due to preferences or legal requirements. These are the threats that companies face today, and with a modular and self-adaptable system this is possible. Therefore, we will list the most important features present in a Cyber Physical System technology embedded reconfigurable factory. They are different and all have the characteristic of self-reconfiguration. First of all, in terms of flexibility, the system has the ability to modify the planning and execution of the production process in terms of product types and not just individual products. In case of changes in the volume of market demand, the system is always ready to react and manage material resources and machines. The system is made up of modules, which will be used at different rates depending on the needs of the case. If new modules such as new machines are acquired as a result of primary necessity, they will be integrated in a short time to be immediately available to work. Finally, the last but probably the most important characteristic concerns the analytical capabilities to react to disturbances. Keeping in mind the characteristics and capabilities of a cyber-physical system in production, it is now possible to introduce a comparison between classic automated solutions and CPPS in different terms. Starting from the concept of module it is possible to analyze the number, the purpose and how wide its action space is. We can thus observe structural architectures of modules of different complexity based on how much greater its final scope of implementation is. A result of primary importance in a system composed of modules is the way of interaction between them. In fact, by setting specific relationship interfaces it is possible to select a finite or infinite communication mode and the autonomy rate between the modules. Cyber-physical systems exhibit varying rates of autonomy, feasibility, and complexity. In fact, during the system design phase it is possible to foresee different autonomy rates, and interaction interfaces to the modules, in order to self-organise the system. In any case it will be totally different from classic automation solutions where there is no margin for self-organisation. Therefore, we will see levels of autonomy that are not yet possible to achieve with existing technologies and regulations. Finally, as we said before, existing technologies are not always capable of supporting CPS in the implementation and execution of a modular system. Therefore, a result of primary importance is to research and find the best possible technologies to support digitalization and intelligent processes. Different results for different purposes In the previous paragraph we briefly saw the characteristics of a CPPS system. We now want to give some information on conventional automated solutions, in order to make a comparison between the two systems, and on how to switch from one system to the other. Starting from conventional automated solutions, we note in all cases acommitment made during the design phase. This can be considered as the part that requires the most time and effort, even more so the installation phase of machines and systems. The design and therefore the creation of these systems are based on hierarchical relationships between the parts. It involves vertical monitoring and control, without any type of autonomy and horizontal communication between the parties. These solutions are not based on the reconfigurability of the system, but on customized solutions, provided by a specialized supplier. If changes are needed within the structure, these solutions suffer the problem of reprogramming and therefore a waste of time and money. Automated solutions are production methods that can exploit their efficiency at maximum rate under stable conditions. In this type of automated solution there are controllers along the production line, but it is not generalized as in CPPS through applications of service platforms and intelligent modules. In fact, in the event of problems in the production process it may happen that large parts of the structure remain isolated and have to interrupt the work they are carrying out. The lack of flexibility, capacity for reconfigurability and convertibility is thus evident. Over time, the reprogramming of existing systems has been considered one of the most important features of an automated system, in case of revolutionary changes and therefore new adaptations. But reconfiguring means stopping the production process, wasting time, possible profits and market fields satisfied in those moments by other companies or competitors. Result of primary importance to change the main pillar from reprogramming to reconfigurability or flexible system that allows self-organization and self-adaptation. CPS-based production systems are designed to be flexible. Through their main feature, modular systems are able to manage numerous product families. Product customization is one of the main objectives of Industry 4.0 and CPS allows you to create a wide range of products, reducing the time needed to program a machine to almost zero. As we can imagine, flexible production systems, until now through conventional automated systems do not reach an acceptable level in terms of productivity, production times and costs. In fact, in order to have a certain level of reliability, these systems require dedicated solutions capable of managing an enormous quantity of different products and families at the same time without blocking the production process. On the other hand, through CPS, personalization is not yet a mirage. Scholars and even companies believe that conventional automated solutions are easier to monitor and analyze. Since everything is structured according to a hierarchical architecture, it is quite simple to analyze the causes and effects of such systems. We can summarize by saying that every single movement within the factory is predictable, because there will be no change in the way of working without a specific and declared plan. The same cannot be said, therefore, for Cyber Physical Systems in production in their set of modules called CPPM. There is no hierarchical and vertical architecture, rather the parts of the production process are organized according to added value criteria. This criterion allows for a system of modularity, where each module can be redistributed within the value-added process, to accommodate some changes. From the characteristics described above it can be seen that conventional production systems are created in such a way as to make the most of their profitability, thus justifying their architecture which does not foresee changes
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