Connectivity, data analysis and simulations for a 4.0 ceramic factory

The focus has been placed on the factory powder plant, characterised by an almost-absent digitalisation, by defining two main objectives: the definition and prototyping of an appropriate digital connectivity solution and the development of an interactive dashboard for data analysis and production scenarios simulations. 

The first objective has been pursued by proposing a connectivity solution based on the LoRaWAN radio technology for powder plant monitoring and control and an IoT network architecture to allow for information exchange with the plant control centre. A working prototype was developed to solve some of the plant problems regarding the human component, proving how an IoT system may allow for avoiding common errors and thus guarantee meeting the requirements of the ceramic mix composition. 

The second objective was pursued by developing a web-based tool to collect, visualise and analyse production processes' data and use the data to explore and evaluate alternative production scenarios. Specifically, the focus was placed on studying the environmental impact generated from the extraction and transport of different raw materials and on the development of a tool to simulate alternative ceramic mix composition scenarios and analyse the consequential effects on environmental impact, costs, and chemical composition. The realised system aims to optimise the current production processes and the relative environmental impacts, as well as their further refinement through the simulation of possible future scenarios within a financially sustainable framework.