Week 09 - Advanced Manufacturing in Industry 4.0 Era

Part 1: Frontiers of Industry 4.0 Smart Manufacturing

Topic Overview:

This topic introduces the latest developments and emerging frontiers in Industry 4.0 smart manufacturing, focusing on digital transformation, smart factories, industrial analytics, and connected production systems. Students will explore how advanced technologies such as IoT, AI, automation, cyber-physical systems, and data-driven decision-making are reshaping manufacturing operations and global supply chains. Emphasis will be placed on industrial applications, innovative thinking, and the development of capabilities to select, deploy, and manage smart manufacturing solutions.

Key Topics:

1. Explore key Industry 4.0 technologies and smart factory applications.
2. Examine industrial case studies and real-life digital transformation needs.
3. Develop innovative thinking for smart manufacturing solutions.

Teaching Format

Lecture and case studies

Part 2: Modelling and Simulation in Advanced Manufacturing

Topic Overview:

Modelling and simulation play a critical role in advanced manufacturing, as they reduce costs, shorten manufacturing lead times, help identify optimal solutions, and enhance the quality and properties of manufactured parts and products. The lecture will introduce the concepts of modelling and simulation, and explain how they help with fabricated part design, process determination, product quality control, and properties tailoring, by using forming and casting as manufacturing processes.

Key Topics:

1. Introduction to modelling and simulation
2. Finite Element Method (FEM)
3. FEM based modelling and simulation
4. How FEM modelling and simulation help forming and casting product development

Teaching Format:

The lecturer will deliver lectures within the scope of the course synopsis, using real industrial case studies to articulate the theories and applications, supplemented by extensive interactive Q&A discussions.