Methodological implementation of sensor networks for smart manufacturing and smart factories

With the transformation to "Industry 4.0", companies are faced with new challenges in the production created by intelligent networking. Flexible information gathering as well as the distribution and supply of information are needed. High economic potentials by the usage of sensor networks in factories and production systems are expected. It is necessary to standardize procedures for assessing the increased demands for sensors and their implementation in the factory. A main problem is the gap with regards to the contents of the two technical areas Factory Planning/Factory Management and Sensor Technology. This article describes procedures for the integration of sensors in production systems as well as procedures for the development of sensors and sensor networks. The significant differences between both areas are the separated consideration of the two areas out of macro perspective and micro perspective. It is essential to define interfaces in planning and development strategies of both fields to attain sensor-based factories and facilities efficiently and also to show possible benefits of those considerations. The combined design process of systems and sensor technology can help to handle the diversity of interfaces in the implementation process of sensor systems and will also lead to a higher level of system integration.