proto_lab

Artificial Intelligence

The upcoming convergence of AI and industry is one of the most exciting topics of our time. Modern AI methods can significantly improve existing processes and enable entirely new products and business models. While the Big Data trend can be observed in many industries, the opportunities for the manufacturing industry are particularly pronounced. Especially for Germany as a business location, but also for the EU, the use of AI in production has been recognized as a factor critical to competitiveness and is the special focus of funding programs for research and development projects.

In the third project phase of proto_lab, exciting AI applications are emerging in the following focus areas:

• Reinforcement Learning for Production Scheduling: Neural networks that predict the optimal use of resources at any point of time.
• Computer Vision: Camera systems that, for example, inspect products for possible damage. 
• Reinforcement Learning for Robotics: Neural networks for controlling machines and robots.
• Anomaly Detection: Automatic analysis of high-dimensional, time-resolved machine data with regard to unusual operating conditions.
• Predictive Maintenance: Automatic analysis of high-dimensional, time-resolved machine data to predict maintenance units.

Cloud

The immense increase in usable data poses major challenges for companies and IT system providers. Digitalization projects are often based on local server infrastructures, although the use of cloud solutions offers significant advantages for companies:

(1) Professionally operated hardware (Iaas),

(2) easy-to-use runtime environments (PaaS), and

(3) professional software modules(SaaS) can be used in a highly scalable manner - often at greatly reduced costs.

proto_lab is already taking the step into the cloud and virtualizes all production resources in a commercial cloud environment. Machines, products, materials or entire workplaces can thus be mapped, networked and controlled as digital twins via generic data models in the cloud. This development is intended to make information and production architectures for optimized, sustainable and thus future-proofed production visible, tangible and controllable.
 

Demonstrator & Research

We need to establish a balance between managing the ongoing changes and continuously evolving. This is where student projects and theses come in. Just like the initial project, these will keep happening across different faculties. Interaction with local small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) is equally important. We regularly organize guided tours of the proto_lab laboratory. Businesses are always welcome to propose new ideas for joint research projects.

Teaching

The project aims to benefit students from various study fields by equipping them with the knowledge gained. To make this possible, a collaborative teaching center called the 'Center for Integrative Teaching' was established. This center is committed to creating innovative interdisciplinary teaching methods that practically prepare students to tackle intricate issues in their future careers.

In addition to learning the basic technical aspects of Industry 4.0 applications, students are encouraged to develop a comprehensive understanding of systems and cultivate independent and creative problem-solving skills, adopting a 'learn by doing' approach. To further enhance their experience, agile organizational structures are employed in diverse teams where they can apply these skills.

Examples of Teaching Modules:

• FWPM „IoT / cyber-physical systems“ (Prof. Dr. Oliver Kramer)

• FWPM "IoT / smart devices" (Prof. Dr. Oliver Kramer)
• FWPM "AGVSi" (Prof. Dr. Noah Klarmann)
• FWPM "Reinforcement Learning for Technical Systems and Production" (Prof. Dr. Noah Klarmann)
• Bachelor Course "Value Creation in Production" Prof. Dr. Oliver Kramer)
• Submodule "Process, Material and Information Flow" within the WI Master Module "Materials Management (Prof. Dr. Oliver Kramer)
• Master Course "Digital Twin for Production" (Prof. Dr. Oliver Kramer)
• IAB-Bachelor-Practical Course „Manufacturing Technology“ (Prof. Erwin Friedl)
• Integration of proto_lab in HT-Bachelor-Practical Course „Manufacturing Automation“ und „Robotics“ (Prof. Andreas Heinzmann)

In 2016, a collaborative project began at TH Rosenheim, aimed at developing a prototype manufacturing environment named 'proto_lab'. This initiative was carried out in partnership with various industrial partners. The project's main goal was to invent fresh solutions that could address the complex demands of contemporary manufacturing. Ultimately, we managed to establish a comprehensive Industry 4.0 process. This achievement was showcased to a wide range of people at the LIGNA trade fair in Hannover, in May 2019.

Various faculties of the TH Rosenheim contribute with their expertise and experience to the project:

• Faculty of Wood Technology & Construction (machine equipment including associated software technology in the wood technology manufacturing laboratories).
• Faculty of Engineering (know-how in the field of robotics)
• Faculty of Management and Engineering (experience from Model Factory 4.0, agile project management, interface between process and infrastructure-architecture-software- development)
• Faculty of Computer Science (insights from innovation projects)
• Research and Innovation (interdisciplinary know-how)

Planning board "Funnel"

Planning app Shredder

Assistence app Cutting

Assistence app CNC

Sorting with scanner glove

Sorting parts with robot

Innovative robot gripper

3D parts detection

Robot without safety fence

Movable robot platform

Automated guided vehicle (AGV)

Flexible workplace system

IoT Ready Kit

Scanner glove

Intelligent trolley

Positioning and locking device

Transport & work trolley

Assistence app assembly

Fitting management

Assistence app edge banding machine

SAFELOG GmbH provides answers to transportation issues in the area of JIT supply to manufacturing and assembly stations in a flexible and digital environment with agent-based mobile transport robots.

Scaliro GmbH offers innovative solutions in the field of intralogistics. Driverless transport systems can thus be used more efficiently and cost-effectively in industrial production.

HOMAG AG is one of the world's leading manufacturers of machinery and equipment for the woodworking industry and craftsmen, and also a provider of numerous services and control software in this field.

• Production Engineering Laboratory (Faculty of Wood Technology and Construction)
• Laboratory for machine wood processing (Faculty of Wood Technology and Construction)
• Simulation and integrated value chain lab (Faculty of Wood Technology and Construction)
• Production Engineering and Machine Tools Laboratory (Faculty of Management and Engineering)
• Laboratory for Material Flow Management (Faculty of Management and Engineering) 
• Digital Twin / Simulation Technology Lab (Faculty of Management and Engineering)
• Additive Manufacturing Laboratory (Faculty of Engineering Sciences)
• Innovationlab (Faculty of Computer Science)  

Master thesis in the study course "Applied Research & Development": Realization and testing of frame constructions for reversible anchoring of a handling robot in a flexible production layout

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In order to be able to use the sorting robot flexibly in the proto_lab laboratory, a substructure was needed that would allow the robot to be moved quickly and easily. Since there was no cost-effective market solution for this, a suitable platform was developed as part of a master's thesis with reference to previous student projects. The phases of conception, detailed design, prototype construction and test implementation were followed by the final production of a fold-out, mobile machine base that both guarantees efficient robot operation on this platform and allows an uncomplicated change of location.         

The cooperation project "FLEET" - the development of an individually configurable fleet management system for driverless transport robots in small and medium-sized enterprises - is running via the project funding "Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM)".

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By developing a configurable, manufacturer-independent fleet management system for driverless transport robots, tasks such as lifting, loading and unloading as well as transporting workpieces will be automated, thus reducing costs. An innovative fleet manager for SMEs (which is currently not yet available on the market) will enable employees to integrate transport robots into their production without any prior programming knowledge.

Learn more about the FLEET project...

Digitalization of the production environment (IoT and Industry 4.0) / AI / Virtual Reality

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Further development of proto_lab applications / IT administration

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Public Relations & Marketing / Hybrid Teaching and Learning Spaces / Teaching Support for "Digital Value Creation"

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IT development in the field of IoT and Industry 4.0 / development of cloud applications in Microsoft Azure

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Teaching support for ERP topics (including the software MS Dynamics) and practical exercises in "Digital Value Creation" 

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