Big and visionary goals always involve a risk both regarding conception and implementation as well as the achievement of research results. With the concept of the IoP, unpredictable challenges – especially in connection with disruptive changes due to new technologies or digitization in all areas of society have to be faced . Future breakthroughs, for example in network technologies (5G networks) or computing power (quantum computers), would enable new alternative approaches to achieve our overall goals, which in turn also promise enormous opportunities. We are therefore pursuing an agile research management approach that enables us to continuously adapt and develop our planned approach.

Aachen as the starting point for the Internet of Production is characterized by a unique range and an outstanding reputation in production research, and the successful work of the Cluster of Excellence Integrative Production Technology for High-Wage Countries as part of the excellence strategy of the federal and state governments. With the Cluster of Excellence Internet of Production (IoP), this research is continued. For this purpose, the RWTH Aachen Campus offers unique infrastructural requirements with various research institutes and industrial partners for the integrative development and validation of the Internet of Production.

The work that has been accomplished in the Cluster of Excellence “Integrative Production Technology for High-Wage Countries” since its inception in 2006 is being continued in the Cluster of Excellence “Internet of Production” (IoP). The Cluster of Excellence “Integrative Production Technology for High-Wage Countries” (2006-2017) has focused on the development of innovative solutions to ensure the future viability and competitiveness of the local manufacturing industry. Achievements include, for example, the development of new intelligent production systems, solutions for the efficient production of customer-specific components, integrated product life cycle management (PLM), as well as increased interconnectedness and collaboration.

The emphasis on collaboration is already visible in the structural approach of the Cluster of Excellence, consisting of a network of more than 25 institutes and research institutions. Aachen’s renowned scientists from production engineering, computer science, materials science and economics, as well as ergonomics and psychology, are bringing their academic expertise to the IoP in order to jointly tackle interdisciplinary challenges such as the integration of production engineering models into data-driven machine learning.

Involved Institutions:

• Access e.V.
• Forschungsinstitut für Rationalisierung e.V. (FIR)
• Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Informationstechnik (FIT)
• Fraunhofer-Institut für Lasertechnik (ILT)
• Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnologie (IPT)
• Institut für Kunststoffverarbeitung (IKV)