Researchers Ishaan Kaushal and Amaresh Chakrabarti from the Centre for Product Design and Manufacturing at the Indian Institute of Science have introduced a groundbreaking framework aimed at integrating sustainability goals into manufacturing systems. Their work, titled “Unified Smart Factory Model: A model-based Approach for Integrating Industry 4.0 and Sustainability for Manufacturing Systems,” presents a comprehensive approach to translating high-level sustainability objectives into actionable, measurable indicators at the factory level.
The Unified Smart Factory Model (USFM) is designed to bridge the gap between abstract sustainability goals and practical implementation on the factory floor. By leveraging Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and specifically the Object Process Methodology, the researchers have created a systematic information map of manufacturing activities. This map encompasses manufacturing, assembly, and auxiliary processes, providing a holistic view of the production landscape.
Central to the USFM is its integration of three critical components: Manufacturing Process and System, Data Process, and Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Selection and Assessment. This unified framework allows manufacturers to select and model environmental sustainability KPIs, mapping them to the necessary data points. The model’s systematic approach ensures that critical information is captured without redundancy, thereby enhancing data collection and analysis.
The researchers demonstrated the efficacy of the USFM through a detailed case study of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly factory. In this study, they highlighted how energy consumption and environmental impact metrics could be effectively modelled and assessed. The USFM’s ability to reduce redundancy and minimize the risk of missing critical information was particularly noteworthy, offering significant benefits for industries, especially Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), striving to meet sustainability targets.
By providing a clear, actionable pathway to achieve sustainability goals, the USFM represents a significant advancement in the field of smart manufacturing. It not only supports the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies but also ensures that sustainability remains at the forefront of manufacturing processes. This model-based approach is poised to become a valuable tool for manufacturers looking to enhance their environmental performance while maintaining operational efficiency. Read the original research paper here.