InVorMa

Short description - Production in Germany can only remain competitive if production facilities are operated efficiently. Production planning is already supported by software systems from the fields of the “Digital Factory” and “Virtual Production.” There is a significant need for research in this area so that companies can further optimize the utilization of their facilities in terms of machinery, tools, materials, energy, and labor. Above all, user-friendliness, reliability, and resource efficiency can be improved.

Flagship project in the it's OWL Leading-Edge Cluster.

Project Duration:
Jul 1, 2012 bis Jun 30, 2016

Project Management:
Prof. Dr. Christoph Laroque

The goal of the research project is to develop a service platform for optimized work planning based on virtual machine tools. The focus is on virtual machine setup, job scheduling, and the organization of expert knowledge.

To this end, innovative methods, technologies, and IT tools for virtual work planning are being developed. In particular, the focus is on new approaches to knowledge management, optimization methods that can be executed in parallel, and web-based methods for distributed computing systems handling sensitive data—that is, the effective combination of computing power across different locations. The project partners are drawing on results from the Leading-Edge Cluster’s cross-cutting projects, such as “Self-Optimization” and “Systems Engineering.” In pilot projects, various aspects are being validated with user companies, such as the simulation of machine tools in a cloud environment or automated, adaptive performance enhancement based on evaluation methods. Based on the project results, prototypes are being developed and implemented in a service platform.

The project results provide services for the rapid and automated optimization of specified machining processes, thereby enabling resource-optimized production planning. For example, this can reduce machine setup times by up to 80 percent. Overall, savings in time, resources, and costs of over 30 percent are expected. The project thus makes an important contribution to ensuring the international competitiveness of companies with production facilities in Germany.