Conceptual Framework for Ubiquitous Cyber-Physical Assembly Systems in Airframe Assembly

Abstract

Current sectoral drivers for the manufacturing of complex products-such as airframe assembly-require new manufacturing system paradigms to meet them. In this paper, we propose a conceptual framework for cyber-physical systems driven by ubiquitous context-awareness by drawing together a unique and coherent vision that merges several extant concepts. This framework leverages recent progress in agent-based systems, flexible manufacturing, ubiquitous computing, and metrology-driven robotic assembly in the Evolvable Assembly Systems project. As such, although it is adapted for and grounded in manufacturing facilities for airframe assembly, it is not specifically tailored to that application and is a much more general framework. As well as outlining our conceptual framework, we also provide a vision for assembly grounded in a review of existing research in the area.

A review on the characteristics of cyber-physical systems for the future smart factories

“…Ghobakhloo [38] observed that virtualization enables the replication of a "digital twin" of the entire value chain (smart warehouse, smart factory, all related equipment and machinery, and even smart products). Sanderson, Chaplin and Ratchev [86] described the "digital twin" as a digital replica of the real system; such digital twin, supported by context-awareness, allows all elements in the factory to be fully traceable [86] for all their lifecycles granting the so-called digital continuity of the data about the systems, accompanying them from the design to operational and dismissal phases [87]. More comprehensively, Cimino, Negri e Fumagalli [88] defined digital twins as simulation environments which are hosted by, or connected to, the cyber part of CPSs.…”

“…Virtualization and realtime capability are complementary characteristics. Indeed, the "digital twin" is a digital replica of the real system, it should allow the real-time visualization of and feedback on the current status of manufacturing components, so to instantaneously provide the derived insights [1,86,92].…”

Context-Aware Plug and Produce for Robotic Aerospace Assembly

“…One product of the EAS project was the concept of a context-aware cyber-physical production system, shown in Fig. 1 and discussed in more detail in [18]. The basis of the concept is that of a shared context for the system, where the context is knowledge about the system and its current state.…”