Emerging technologies for smart factories (SMARTFACT)

Acronym: SMARTFACT

Project name: Emerging technologies for smart factories

The Jožef Stefan Institute, as the lead partner, has secured the SMARTFACT programme, bringing research organisations and industrial companies together to develop more efficient, flexible and sustainable manufacturing.

The consortium comprises 17 partners: the Jožef Stefan Institute, the University of Ljubljana Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Computer and Information Science and Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, the University of Maribor Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Rudolfovo, TECOS, Yaskawa Slovenia, Metronik, Gorenje, SICK, INEA, Adria Mobil, RETTRO, Fotona, Elvez and Keko Equipment. Research teams, system integrators and end users will jointly develop and validate solutions in real industrial environments.

The goal of the SMARTFACT program is to develop and test advanced technologies for smart factories in an industrial setting. Using artificial intelligence, machine learning, advanced sensor technology, computer vision, and modern process control methods, the program will develop solutions for more efficient monitoring, understanding, optimization, and automation of manufacturing processes. The program integrates research in the fields of process control, robotics, and laser and plasma technologies. Its overall objectives are to improve the quality, productivity, flexibility, and energy and material efficiency of manufacturing, as well as to accelerate the transfer of research results into industrial applications.

The program’s results will include new methods, algorithms, and software and hardware solutions for smart monitoring, supervision, and control of production. These will enable earlier detection of errors and deviations, process state prediction, real-time adjustment of production parameters, automated quality control, and more flexible operation of robotic, laser, and plasma systems. The developed solutions will be integrated into prototypes and demonstrated in an industrial environment, thereby laying the foundation for their further use, upgrading, and commercialization.

SMARTFACT will contribute to greater productivity, quality, energy efficiency, and international competitiveness of Slovenian industry.

The total value of the project is 14,691,133.33 EUR, and the amount of (co-)funding is 8,832,720.83 EUR. The investment is co-funded by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

TECOS will participate in the following research and development projects:

• RRp1 – TECOS will participate in the development of a simulation algorithm, which will also be validated in a laboratory environment before the solution is transferred to actual production. Furthermore, research and development activities will focus on identifying and defining injection molding parameters, as well as on investigating methods and algorithms for real-time adaptive control, with the analysis focusing on the control of experimental injection molding machines. TECOS will also participate in the development of AI-based control algorithms for the injection molding machine.
• RRp2 – TECOS will participate in the control of injection molding processes, specifically in the implementation of a demonstration case. It will also participate in the management of injection molding processes (experimental testing and validation of the expert system) and in the strategy for further development.

Contact: dr. Dragan Kusić