Intelligent Systems and Advanced Automation

Photo: Flexible automation for automotive, ABB Robotics

In the context of the transition to Industry 4.0, we see a strong change in the industry towards digital manufacturing. Technologies like additive manufacturing are important building blocks for a fully integrated digital value and supply chain. However, it is not only the process of material transformation or the manufacturing process itself which will provide new benefits and competitive advantages.

For a highly efficient supply chain, companies need in addition intelligent systems and machines with advanced automation, which are fully integrated in such digital supply chains, including design of materials and products, manufacturing, distribution and end-of-life of products.

The scope of the Technical Focus Area Intelligent Systems and Advanced Automation includes topics like computer-based design, machine learning, autonomous systems as well as the simulation of materials, processes and products.

A key challenge that needs to be addressed by the research projects in this focus area is the efficient integration of the different building blocks of advanced manufacturing as approved for other Technical Focus Areas into digital manufacturing and supply chains in order to use the full potential of improved connectivity between systems and products and the higher level of digitalization.

Selected Research Projects

Automated process flow for high-speed additive nanostructure assembly with integrated process control

High-­Efficacy X-­Ray Diagnostic Tools for Process Optimization and Quality Management on Roll-­to-­Roll and Conveyor-­based Manufacturing Lines

Multi-material laser powder-bed fusion

Fast Optimization of Additively Manufactured Metallic Parts with a Combination of Adaptive Feedforward Control and Numerical Simulation