Most of the digital tools required for a factory of the future are currently being explored in research projects carried out by laboratories co-piloted by Grenoble INP. Examples include: simulation (G-SCOP, LIG,...) sensors (LCIS, IMEP-LAHC), virtual and augmented reality (G-SCOP), additive manufacturing (G-SCOP, AIP-PRIMECA Dauphiné-Savoie), autonomous robots (LIG, GIPSA-lab), big data and analytics (LIG,...), Internet of Things (LIG, LCIS), cloud computing (LIG), and cybersecurity (Verimag).
The G-SCOP laboratory is working on the entire life cycle from design to the end of a product’s life cycle. Reliability and sustainability are going to be key factors for any factory of the future.
By completely reorganizing production methods and increasing the importance of networks, next generation factories could kickstart the European industry. Such an evolution can increase competitivity and help European industrial actors face off against global competitors and low-cost competitors in developing countries.
This evolution will enable connected machines to produce in a “smart” manner. Production will become more flexible and adapt to real-time customer demands. Connected systems also provide greater traceability. “
This will enable the implementation of security measures throughout the manufacturing process, which will facilitate product recalls,” adds Valérie Rocchie. In addition, connected machines can be coordinated to optimize production according to the cost and availability of energy.
By interacting with the internet, production tools can anticipate maintenance issues. Machines will be able to call upon the right specialist to fix a problem or install an update. In partnership with STMicroelectronics, G-SCOP has set up a system to control production risks by constantly anticipating and analyzing errors. The Crolles 300 production site now operates in Industry 4.0 mode with a wide diversity of products and numerous operations per product.
This system of connected machines creates a very large flow of data that covers everything from production to maintenance and production design. Quality control can now be regulated thanks to machine and product parameters. Data drawn from production lines can be used for more than curative actions (fixing a mistake). The goal is to anticipate problems and maintenance needs before they become critical.
“We use systems and algorithms developed by ProbaYes, a business specialized in decision-making software using bayesian networks. We’ve adapted them to meet the needs of STMicroelectronics and analyze potential issues with their production machines. The system then provides diagnostics and possible action plans. We also implemented training programs to ensure employees can use these new systems correctly,” explains Michel Tollenaere, a professor at Grenoble INP (G-SCOP).
The evolution towards the factory of the future relies on digital technology and automating certain processes. As a result, it’s changing the relationship between man and machine. “These factories will not only improve security and health, but also enable employees to work on tasks that have greater added-value.”The real disruptive change will come from smart machines that will interact and react to situations in real-time without human interference. Such systems are currently under developed.
DRIVE : Direction Recherche Innovation Valorisation Europe
GIPSA-lab : Grenoble Images Parole Signal Automatique
G-SCOP : Sciences pour la Conception, l'Optimisation et la Production
IMEP-LAHC : Institut de Microélectronique Electromagnétisme et Photonique et le Laboratoire d'Hyperfréquences et de Caractérisation
LCIS : Laboratoire de Conception et d'Intégration des Systèmes
LIG : Laboratoire d'Informatique de Grenoble
SIMAP : Science et Ingénierie des Matériaux et Procédés