CONTEXT AWARE COMPUTING LEVERAGES THE INDUSTRIAL INTERNET OF THINGS (IIOT) TO CREATE A RICH DIGITAL CONTEXT AND WEAVE THE DIGITAL THREAD FOR AUTOMATED AND OPTIMIZED DECISION MAKING IN COMPOSITES MANUFACTURING

摘要

Composite component fabrication requires real-time decisions based on a long and growing list of variables and constraints. As production volumes and complexity increase, suppliers are faced with more unforeseen problems, and have less time and ability to make optimized decisions. Theory and practice show, that the more variables considered in solving a problem, the better the potential result. However, in attempts to consider the 'big picture', human beings reach their limit at some point, and resort to solving only parts of the challenge, with or without a software designed to address that sub-problem. Currently, integrating this vast and diverse amount of data into a global view of the process is very difficu typically each data set is analyzed in its own software package, limiting the ability to integrate the multiple data types and detect inefficiencies and process issues that might trigger production delays. Integrating Intelligent, context-aware software, based on the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) represents dramatic opportunities as new sensor technologies collect vast amounts of data in real time, creating a rich digital context that starts with design engineers and is continuously built through the entire lifecycle of the product. This 'digital thread' weaves a single integrated stream of digital data that makes information from the entire life cycle available and visible to all stakeholders. This would include - among other information - asset location (including pre-preg rolls, kits and assemblies), assets' status and availability (including tools, machines, autoclaves and personnel), exposure time information of parts, kits and assemblies, as well as full genealogical information for each asset or resource, from the moment it was first created, throughout production and beyond into MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul). The digital thread model is enabled by the IIoT abilities and supports full traceability of each part, starting at the raw material phase and through its fabrication on the production floor, for later stage auditability and significantly shorter crisis management should a defect occur or be discovered along the way.