A unified architecture for proactive maintenance in manufacturing enterprises

Abstract

Since industrial maintenance is a key operation, modern manufacturing firms need to minimize maintenance losses and to improve their overall performance. In addition, emerging information technologies such as the Internet of things (IoT), cyber-physical systems, proactive computing and big data analysis in the context of Industry 4.0 are able to enhance maintenance management with the aim to implement a new maintenance strategy: proactive maintenance. To this end, we propose a unified conceptual architecture for proactive maintenance in a sensor-based industrial environment. Furthermore, we describe how we aim to implement it with the use of existing services and tools, the integration of which will result in the UPTIME information system. Finally, we present our plans for its evaluation in three industrial cases: a white goods/home appliances industry, a steel industry and an aviation industry.