Advancement in Smart Manufacturing: Trends and Directions

Exactly how is digital transformation changing the face of manufacturing? How do we map comprehensively all that drives performability in smart manufacturing? This chapter provides a holistic view of key enablers of smart manufacturing that drive performability and maximize manufacturing efficiencies. Smart Manufacturing improves manufacturing performance with integrated and intelligent use of processes and resources in cyber, physical, and human spheres to create and deliver products and services more efficiently. These interventions lead to sustainable manufacturing using key enablers such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), cloud computing, advanced robotics, automated decision support, etc.Another driving force of the smart factory revolution is digital twin, which integrates physical systems with virtual systems and the Internet of Things (IOT), which is key in digital transformation. In this chapter, advancements in the aforesaid technologies and various aspects of performability for next-generation manufacturing systems are discussed. Different case studies demonstrate how to minimize operational interruptions, improve productivity, and enhance safety. Finally, the challenges in smart manufacturing implementation are summarized under categories eg. digital vision, sensor and data, technology gap, and future directions are highlighted to address these gaps.