Handbook

This course introduces the key concepts of Industry 4.0, which focuses on integrating physical elements of production systems with information and communication technologies. 

Industry 4.0 reflects the ongoing fourth industrial revolution and is one of the most popular research and industry topics. In the context of industry 4.0, the digitalisation of factory and production elements and associated communication transforms today’s factories into smart ones. This offers great business opportunities and economic potential, including increasing production system productivity, improving product quality and customisation, shorter lead times, and reduced environmental footprints. Smart factories are sprouting up all over the globe and they can range in size from the very small to the very large. Many of these systems are now being established in Australia. This discipline is therefore becoming increasingly important in industrial and manufacturing engineering.

This course aims to educate our students in the best state of research and practice in design, planning and control of cyber-physical production systems that interconnect intelligent products, machines, networks, and autonomous systems that continuously communicate and cooperate.

This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of key concepts and enabling technologies of industry 4.0 such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, Big Data analytics, adaptive robotics, augmented reality, simulation, additive manufacturing, digital twin, and Internet of Things (IoT). The course integrates systems engineering concepts and norms (VDI2221-2206), system architectures and data modelling approaches, data sensing techniques, communication and cyber-security protocols, real-time simulation and optimisation methods for the design and deployment of a digital twin of an intelligent manufacturing system. The course analyses the social aspect of smart factories equipped with the industrial internet of things and investigate the offering opportunities and possible risks.