Institute for Control Engineering of Machine Tools and Manufacturing Units (ISW), University of Stuttgart

The challenge in the vehicle and supplier industry today is to produce economically despite highly volatile markets and under dynamic conditions. The decisive competitive factor here is the adaptability of production systems. In order to achieve maximum adaptability, a strict separation must be created between the hardware of the production systems and the controlling software. The SDM4FZI project therefore deals with the new method: software-defined manufacturing (SDM). Analogous to solutions from information and communication technology, non-predefined functions are also to be realised by automatically generated software. The basic prerequisite is the abstraction of the existing hardware through digital twins with the help of which the software can be automatically derived and distributed. For this purpose, the existing production OT (Operational Technology) must be rethought in order to make the control and communication infrastructure SDM-capable. SDM creates the basis for innovative applications and business models that use digital twins as their core to optimize adaptable production systems.

University of Stuttgart

The University of Stuttgart is represented by four institutes whose core competencies are software and automation technology for production engineering. The ISW contributes its expertise in the areas of control technology, communication, production IT/OT as well as drive and machine technology.

Together, the architecture of the reference model is to be defined and concretely implemented on the basis of use cases. The University of Stuttgart has done various relevant preliminary work in the area of reference architecture for digitization. The second overarching goal is to enable the production OT to be SDM-capable. Innovative control architectures and research into the necessary basic technologies are also ongoing research topics at the University of Stuttgart. The focus is on both the end devices, from the field device to the (edge) cloud, and the (real-time) communication. They are considered from the perspectives of hardware, software and engineering. The solutions developed are to be married in a demonstrator and shown interacting with each other.

EPLAN

EPLAN is actively involved in standardization bodies and Industry 4.0 projects such as AutomationML, ECLASS, European 4.0 Transformation Center and VDMA.

The “Förderal” research project dealt with modular engineering for mechanical and plant engineering. The goal was to develop a project planning tool for cross-discipline coordination. Together with the companies Homag and Nagel, the tool was tested and later developed into the standard product EPLAN Engineering Configuration (EEC). The knowledge gained here will be used as preliminary work for the development of advanced engineering tools in the project.

The “aquimo” project dealt with an adaptable modeling tool and qualification program for the development of company-specific mechatronic engineering processes. As a guideline for the mechanical and plant engineering industry, prevailing sequential development processes are to be replaced by a novel approach with modular architecture. The “aquimo” research project was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and supervised by PTKA. The results of this project will also be incorporated into the project.

The "SDM4FZI" research project is funded as part of the "Future Investments in the Automotive Industry" program of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK).