Digital Manufacturing: Introduction and Smart Design

Course Overview

This course has been created for Mechanical, Manufacturing, and Mechatronics Engineers. The "Digital Manufacturing and Industry 4.0" course is intended for those who want to comprehend and navigate the transformative concepts and technologies that shape modern Industry. Throughout this course, participants will learn about the fundamental principles of digital manufacturing, the path to Industry 4.0, and the emerging technology that drives smart design and production processes through three modules. In the first module, "Introduction to Digital Manufacturing," students will conduct a thorough examination of the drivers driving digital transformation in manufacturing. Learners will recognize the importance of efficiency, agility, and competitiveness in driving the industry into a new era. Key concepts such as the Digital Thread, Value Chain, and Smart Factory will be investigated to demonstrate how they are transforming traditional manufacturing processes. Participants will learn about key concepts such as Digital Thread and Digital Twin, as well as their roles in enabling continuous information flow and virtual representations for analysis and optimization. The importance of a strong digital infrastructure, which includes networked systems, cybersecurity measures, and data analytics capabilities, will be highlighted. The second module, "Evolution of Industry 4.0," builds on the knowledge learned in the first module. Participants will learn about the history and progress of Industry 4.0, from the fourth industrial revolution to the present era of intelligent, networked systems. Key components such as cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and artificial intelligence will be emphasized, demonstrating how they work together to create adaptable production environments. The six Industry 4.0 design ideas will be discussed, providing students with a foundation for seamless integrating digital technologies. In the last module of the course, students will learn about the latest innovations that shape smart design and production processes. Learners will look into Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM), recognizing its importance as the foundation for effective digital design and manufacturing instruction translation. Other technologies, such as Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), Computer-Aided Fixture Design, and automation adaptation, will also be discussed, with a focus on their contributions to precision, repeatability, and efficiency in manufacturing operations, which align with the larger goals of smart design and manufacturing.