Integrating Industry 4.0 Approaches for Manufacturing SMEs

This technical report presents a multi-purpose platform designed to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in optimizing their production processes and product designs. The platform is built to be user-friendly, enabling SMEs to conduct what-if analyses despite limited resources and technological expertise. It features a layered infrastructure comprising a Decision-Making Layer, Data Exchange Layer, and User Management Layer, integrating various software tools such as Plant Simulation and Autodesk Inventor. The report emphasizes the importance of interoperability, achieved through the FIWARE framework, which facilitates data exchange among different applications. A case study in the furniture sector illustrates the platform's effectiveness, demonstrating improvements in design efficiency and cost reduction. The modular nature of the platform allows for future enhancements, potentially incorporating additional functionalities like quality control and supply chain management. Overall, the platform aims to empower SMEs to navigate the challenges of Industry 4.0 adoption effectively.