Appropriate Smart Factory for SMEs: Concept, Application and Perspective

International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing, vol. 22, pp. 201–215

Abstract

Abstract In the manufacturing industry, the smart factory is considered the final stage of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Manufacturing companies are pursuing breakthroughs by introducing various advanced technologies to ensure their competitiveness. However, it is difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt smart-factory technologies, owing to financial and technical burdens. This paper proposes a smart factory that can be applied technically and strategically to the introduction of a smart factory for SMEs. The concept of an ‘appropriate smart factory’ involves applying appropriate measures in terms of cost and scale with consideration of the situations faced by SMEs. The goal is to build a smart factory that has necessary functions (Essential) but can be easily operated (Simple) at a low cost (Affordable) and has compatibility (Interoperable). This paper presents technical application measures such as appropriate smart sensors, appropriate IoT (Internet of Things), and small data processing, along with the definition of an appropriate smart factory. In addition, a case study was examined where the quality inspection equipment for garment manufacturing SMEs was developed by applying the appropriate smart factory concept.

Authors 10

1. Woo‐Kyun Jung

   Seoul National University

   Affiliation as printed

   Soft Robotics Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

2. Dong-Ryul Kim

   Seoul National University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Room 1405, Building 301, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea

3. Hyunsu Lee

   Seoul National University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Room 1405, Building 301, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea

4. Tae-Hun Lee Aachen Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT

   Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT

   Affiliation as printed

   Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, Aachen, Germany

5. Insoon Yang

   Seoul National University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

6. Byeng Dong Youn

   Seoul National University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Room 1405, Building 301, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea

   Institute of Advanced Machines and Design, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

7. Daniel Zontar Aachen Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT

   Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT

   Affiliation as printed

   Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, Aachen, Germany

8. Matthias Brockmann Aachen Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT

   Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT

   Affiliation as printed

   Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, Aachen, Germany

9. Christian Brecher Aachen Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT

   Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT

   Affiliation as printed

   Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, Aachen, Germany

10. Sung‐Hoon Ahn corresponding

    Seoul National University

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Room 1405, Building 301, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea

    Institute of Advanced Machines and Design, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea