To gain basic concepts and approaches to design of smart factories and to learn about key technologies of I 4.0 and the concept of distributed systems.

To gain the basics of development of digital twins of processes in a smart factory based on the modelling of discrete and partially continuous events and to learn the basics of control of smart factories with the help of digital twins and digital agents.

Ability to estimate the level of digitalization of existing factories and understanding the concepts and approaches to designing new smart factories or for transforming existing factories towards a smart factory.

Understanding the key technologies of I 4.0 and their role and usefulness in a smart factory.

Understanding and creation of digital twins of processes in a smart factory based on discrete and partially continuous events and to use digital twins and digital agents for control of a smart factory.

 

Knows and understands: the content and mission of a smart factory compared to traditional factories.
The acquired knowledge is used by the student to draft and design processes in smart factories and to integrate them into the whole concept of a smart factory, to make effective use of I 4.0 technologies in a smart factory, and to produce digital twins of processes and the entire smart factory, as well as to control the whole system.

To learn about key technologies of I 4.0 and the concept of distributed systems.

Knows and understands how to use of tools to evaluate the status of digitization of a traditional factory and computer-aided tools for drafting an efficient smart factory for various purposes.

Recognize of the usefulness of I 4.0 technologies in a smart factory.

Knows and understands how to use simulation tools for building a digital twin (DT) of a smart factory with different subprocesses.

 

 

 

6_Referential architectural models of smart factories

7_Connectivity and Communication Protocols

8_9_10_The concept of distributed systems (Top-down and Bottom-up approach)

VSM - Value Stream Mapping, notes
Product assembly (product structure, assembly structure, LPM), notes
PUSH_PULL principle, notes

11_The concept of digital twins (DT), DT examples

12_Digital twins in production processes

 

 

The team consist of several students (2-4 students). The team consider two/three papers, articles (SCI articles, conference papers, other Journals, News, website, etc) that are included in the PPT presentation. The Team work and the PPT is presented during the lectures (at the beginning) for particular topics related to this lecture (document Teams). The team prepare up to 15 min PPT presentation, involve all students within team in oral presentation (distribute the work and the parts for oral presentations), the presentation material (PPT) and oral presentation are evaluated and are part of the final grade according to the rules of this suvject. After the oral presentation we will have the discussion section (15 min), which is lead by team presenting their work in the next lecture. For Example: Team 1 is presenting the topic and Team 2 is chairing the discussion session and prepare 2 questions, each student, of the Team 2. Team 1 send the materials, articles, to Team 2 in order to know what topic will be discussed and to prepare these questions related to the materials from Team 1. The chairing during the discussion section is also evaluated (active participation in the course, moderation of discussion session) and is part of the team work. The "Teams", link below shows the list of teams and the students involved in the teams, topics and the Teams who chair the discussion session.  

 

Teams (table with list of teams, list of topics related to the lectures and teams chairing the sessions)

 

 

The leading association focused on Smart factories, link to website: The European Factories of the Future Research Association (EFFRA)

PDF document, material: NEW PERSPECTIVES FOR THE FUTURE OF MANUFACTURING: OUTLOOK 2030

 

 

 

Exercises seminars and defense rules

 

SMFE_2025_2026_Exercises_Seminars_pdfs-together