GDE

Advanced Data Management

 

 

Description

The project exploited enabling technologies (IIoT and R-FID) to integrate and interconnect the physical layer (the field, production data from machines and physical objects) with the network layer (the company’s IT systems) to integrate data into flows and processes, organising the data in a coherent and accessible way at all levels of the organisation. Technological solutions were defined to collect and exchange information from the field, optimising business processes and digitising workflows, improving the company’s value proposition.
The definition of new workflows towards the digitisation of processes, the development of an IoT platform to interconnect machining centres and production tools with IT systems (ERP), and the development of user interfaces and software modules to support the system are the main objectives achieved with the GDE project.

Result to be enhanced

One of the most important achievements is the creation of an IoT platform based on industry-standard communication protocols that creates the interface between the physical layer (work centres, tools, equipment and everything physically present in the company) and the information layer, represented by the company’s information systems, the seat of the information value of products and processes. In this way, it is possible to integrate the different information systems and establish unambiguous and uniquely accessible repositories for data essential to the company’s business. The adoption of innovative technologies to enable a digital renewal of processes is a major achievement in terms of competitiveness, enabling further projects to reduce the environmental impact of processes by, for example, eliminating the use of paper for production cycles, exploiting the digital information flows created.

Why is it important?

The project allows the adoption of advanced technologies to be tested on ‘traditional’ machining processes for chip removal. The extraction of valuable information content from even relatively old machines is an important factor for a company’s competitiveness. In addition, the organised and structured collection of data and the digitisation of processes are the foundation for future developments that can apply logic and algorithms for preventive maintenance, energy efficiency and consumption reduction to production processes and paperless systems and workflows. The introduction of these technologies in the company also requires the enhancement of skills new to the sector in which the company operates, such as information technology, database management and software interface development, skills that are also found in the fruitful relationship with local training realities.
Lastly, process optimisation, digitisation and reduction of environmental impact are aspects that international customers are increasingly demanding. LMA can therefore position itself as the leader of production chains in the aerospace sector for the territory, spreading the best practices it has developed and successfully tested.