"We are very pleased to receive this grant as it will enhance process efficiency, reduce energy use and minimize the production of off-spec materials", researcher and project leader of the team Gerjen Tinnevelt says.
Industries rely on digital models to optimize processes, ensuring product quality, efficient resource use, and minimal waste. These models, used for tasks like sensor calibration and predictive control, are essential for sustainability and efficiency. However, they degrade over time, leading to poor decision-making and operational inefficiencies. Despite their importance, industries lack a streamlined system to keep models accurate, adaptive, and transferable. To maintain reliable digital infrastructure, automated maintenance and continuous updates are crucial.
Project Carefree Models
The Carefree Models project is developing an automated, predictive framework to simplify process model maintenance, adaptation, and transfer. By reducing the effort needed to keep models accurate and resilient, this approach strengthens Industry 4.0 as a driver of efficiency and sustainability. The project will include several industrial case studies, demonstrating models that update automatically, adapt to changes, and transfer easily to new processes. The new methods will allow that these models maintain optimal performance, adapt to evolving conditions, and transition efficiently to new applications. Moreover, the project team will be creating a framework for easy adaptation, deployment, monitoring, and evaluation of Carefree Models at industrial sites. These efforts will be tested in different case studies and shared with the broader process industry. "This project will lead to easier deployment and extension of industry 4.0 models in the process industry, ultimately enhancing process efficiency and resilience", Tinnevelt says.
Industry4.0
Carefree Models will make it much easier for the process industry to maintain accurate predictive data for better decision-making. The framework will reduce the effort needed to keep models up to date and make Industry 4.0 more practical and valuable. The ultimate result will be higher product quality with lower costs, and less environmental waste - greater efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.
TKI Energy & Industry
TKI Energy and Industry supports entrepreneurs and scientists in developing innovations for a more sustainable industry. They foster collaboration through innovation consortia and promote the adoption of new products and technologies. By sharing knowledge and leveraging their network, they help advance the Dutch process industry toward climate neutrality by 2050 within a circular economy.
