JULY/AUGUST 2019 INDUSTRY 4.0
operational requirements. We are also conducting
onsite visits to SMEs to evaluate digitalisation
‘readiness’ and needs, using an assessment
framework and step-by-step audit.
Requirements gathered in Stage 1 are being fed
into the development of low-cost digital options.
This stage involves designing, modelling and
developing architectures for low-cost component
integration and infrastructure options.
low-cost technologies which form the building
blocks of these proposed digital architectures.
Solutions incorporate consumer-grade
components (such as Raspberry Pis) and low-cost
sensors (such as Bluetooth low-energy beacons,
off -the-shelf sensors and motion cameras).
with existing cloud computing platforms, humanmachine
such as iPads and Alexa to create standard
combinations which can form adaptable solutions.
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we’re talking about within the
Shoestring project are very low
cost but can give you an insight
into the art of the possible.
“It’s benefi cial for us to
be involved with Shoestring
because we can help to shape
the project and share with other
SMEs as the solutions are rolled
out, so a lot of people can win
from this project.”
The IfM is working with
a large number of SME
manufacturers to identify
requirements, and create a
catalogue of customisable digital
solutions, complying with
regulatory, safety and security
requirements. The solutions
will be based on commercially
available technologies for
mobile computing, sensing
and AI, identifying how these
can be exploited, and tackling
the issues associated with
integrating these safely and
securely into a small-scale
manufacturing environment.
The project involves
partners such as Raspberry
Pi and Siemens, along with
teams of developers. It also
brings together researchers
in industrial information and
control systems, machining and
automation, asset management
www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk
Shoelace
involves a fi vestage
assessment
and integration
process
From these activities, the research team is
classifying SME challenges and priorities, and
creating a list of top priority requirements for
proposed low-cost digital solutions.
2Phase 2: Solutions development
The idea is to create a ‘toolbox’ of existing
The toolbox components can be combined
interaction, IIoT suites and interfaces
“As an industry, we have
the potential to harness data
to make better decisions”
Duncan McFarlane, Institute for Manufacturing
and maintenance, and draws
on interdisciplinary expertise
from computer science,
economics and data analytics.
In direct partnership with
industry, we are working
closely with manufacturing
networks including the Scottish
Manufacturing Advisory Service
(SMAS), Make UK and the
Nottingham Manufacturing
Network, and involvement from
SME partner companies from
the start.
IfM’s approach
The project has several phases,
starting with understanding
the needs and priorities of
SMEs, before moving on to
development, testing and pilots.
1Phase 1: Digital
requirements assessment
As a fi rst priority, we are
spending time listening to SMEs
to understand their needs and to
identify common requirements
between companies.
This is happening through
requirement-gathering
workshops held around the UK
and overseas. Here, SMEs are
asked to discuss their priority
business areas for digitalisation
and provide scores to rank their
Shoelace programme phases
Digital requirements assesment
Solutions development
Prototying & pilot testing
Incremental integration
Engagement & dissemination
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/www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk