An evaluation-aware method for transforming a production system into a cyber-physical production system

Abstract

The role of Cyber-physical production systems (CPPSs) as Industry 4.0 enablers has raised the interest to upgrade legacy production systems. However, manufacturers face uncertainty when assessing if the transformation process is worth it. In this context, the aim of this study is to develop a systematic method to transform any legacy production system into a CPPS with an emphasis on evaluating the system performance along the transformation. The method adopts concepts from enterprise architecture and international standards to guide practitioners through their digital transformation initiatives. A case study is developed through the simulation of a flexible production system to validate the method proposed.