The research consortium is developing a solution where manufacturing modules are put together to create a customized, versatile manufacturing system. Photo credit: Bosch

Plug and produce modules for the smart factory

At present, production lines are usually still designed for just one product and for a particular batch size of that product. However, products are becoming ever more personalized, and batch sizes increasingly variable, right down to batch size one.

Consequently, production lines have to be adjusted more and more often, a process that costs time, increases the risk of errors, and results in downtime. The research project envisions using "plug and produce" modules as a solution. The idea behind it is similar to when computers can independently recognize keyboards or printers through plug and play applications. In order to adjust production, workers will simply add existing modules or remove those that aren't needed.

Putting manufacturing systems to the test

The ReCaM team aims to prove that such connected and adaptable manufacturing systems truly work and prove themselves in practical application. To do so, all nine partners in the research consortium are contributing their various areas of expertise to find a solution together: the university institutes are developing the standards, mechanical engineers are constructing the modules, and the manufacturing companies such as Bosch are testing the concepts in practice.

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