Optimization techniques to support decision-making processes via MSM—an Industry 4.0 approach

Abstract

Abstract In the past few decades, a generalized awareness and concern for sustainability issues has been gaining increasing relevance. Resources mapping (as well as time and cost) is an important task for decision-making toward sustainable production, and the multilayer stream mapping (MSM) method is an excellent approach to achieve it. Nevertheless, there are two potential barriers to the implementing MSM: (1) a constant feed of raw data from processes and production is required; and (2) the difficulty in decision-making based on the information supplied by MSM (with dozens of performance ratios per board). In this chapter a path is presented to overcome these two barriers. First, by proposing the link of MSM to an existing Internet-of-Things platform, taking advantage of the digitalization advent brought about by the Industry 4.0 revolution. Second, by proposing an optimization algorithm (integrated with discrete event simulation) that supports and facilitates the decision-making based on MSM. In addition to describing the proposed optimization approach, an application case study based on real industrial data from a company is presented and discussed.