Spatial-Temporal Finite Element Analytics for Cyber-Physical System-enabled Smart Factory: Application in Hybrid Flow Shop

Cyber-Physical System (CPS) is a crucial direction in realizing the next-generation smart manufacturing. With the deployment of IoT technologies, massive production data and information are real-timely accessible for decision-makers. However, the enemies: complexity and uncertainty, that researchers and practitioners have been fighting for decades still hinder the development of smart manufacturing. In the realm of manufacturing optimization like production planning and scheduling, considerable research efforts have been made. However, more or less similar results are generated, which are theoretically optimal but lack the ability to cope with disturbances in the real-life industry. This study develops a framework of the Cyber-Physical System (CPS) and proposes a smart digitalization solution to achieve real-time visibility, traceability, and information sharing. Also, a novel Spatial-Temporal Finite Element Analytics (ST-FEA) based on real-time cyber-physical visibility and traceability is innovated to achieve real-time advanced production planning and scheduling in the Hybrid Flow Shop. By discretizing the space and time of the original problem in meshing, the complexity and uncertainty are substantially reduced. The simpler models can thus be established and solved with a more straightforward method. Case studies will be conducted to verify the practicability and effectiveness of the proposed method in future research.