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Digital manufacturing on a shoestring: Low cost digital solutions for SMEs

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Conference Object

Change log

Authors

Ratchev, S 
Thorne, A 
Parlikad, AK 
de Silva, L 

Abstract

One of the key findings in a number of recent studies has been that small and medium sized manufacturers (SMEs) have been slow in adopting digital solutions within their organisations. Cost is understood to be one of the key barriers to adoption. Digital Manufacturing on a Shoestring is an approach to increasing the digital capabilities of SMEs via a series of low cost solutions. The programme proposes using off-the-shelf, (possibly non-industrial) components and software to address a company’s (digital) solution needs, adding capabilities one step at a time with minimal a priori infrastructure required. This paper will introduce the Digital Manufacturing on a Shoestring programme as a whole and demonstrate the way in which it addresses the need for low cost digital solutions for SME Manufacturers. It will discuss challenges associated with integrating low cost technologies into industrial solutions and the style of IT architectures best suited for integrating such solutions into industrial environments.

Description

Keywords

Digital manufacturing, Shoestring programme, Low cost technologies, Digital solutions, SME

Journal Title

SERVICE ORIENTED, HOLONIC AND MULTI-AGENT MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS FOR INDUSTRY OF THE FUTURE

Conference Name

International Workshop on Service Orientation in Holonic and Multi-Agent Manufacturing

Journal ISSN

1860-949X
1860-9503

Volume Title

853

Publisher

Springer International Publishing

Rights

All rights reserved
Sponsorship
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/R032777/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/I019308/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/K000314/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/L010917/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/N021614/1)