Internet of Things for Manufacturing and Factory Information Systems

The Internet of Things for Manufacturing (IoTfM) is reshaping manufacturing and sparking a rapid digital transformation of the factory floor.

The Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI) Factory Information Systems Center (FIS) is a leader in IoTfM research and education. Over the past 25 years, we have undertaken projects with dozens of companies on a wide array of technological topics."

By applying our deep and objective expertise, we help companies increase program predictability, decrease costs, reduce risk and improve productivity.

How can GTMI help you realize the potential of IoTfM?

  • Technological Roadmap Development: With the myriad of technological solutions and strategies for implementing IoTfM, getting started can often feel daunting. Thanks to GTMI's vast experience, we can develop a technological roadmap for your organization that identifies your needs, documents current gaps and outlines recommended solutions. When formulating an IoTfM strategy, companies find GTMI's objectivity and expertise provides a solid foundation for growth.
  • Custom Projects: With our track record of successful delivery for dozens of companies, GTMI can partner with you to identify your organization’s specific needs, then develop and implement a project plan that allows you to achieve your goals.
  • Consortia Projects: Consortia projects allow you to leverage your resources by collaborating with organizations with similar needs, under the guidance of a GTMI expert. GTMI has significant experience forming consortia teams that result in learnings that benefit all members.
  • IoTfM Annual Symposium: Each year, GTMI hosts an IoTfM symposium featuring guest speakers from around the world. The symposium provides opportunities to network and learn from industry leaders.
  • Manufacturers' Roundtable: GTMI brings together representatives from leading manufacturing companies to explore IoTfM ideas, challenges and solutions in intimate and candid discussions.

GTMI’s IoTfM expertise includes:

  • Factory Architectures: Factories of the future need software architectures capable of seamlessly exchanging data across machines and applications. Unfortunately, today’s ad hoc and tightly coupled legacy systems can prove limited. That’s why GTMI has developed a Decoupled Digital Architecture, a high-performance, low-cost, standards-based leap ahead of current legacy systems.
  • Machine Communication: GTMI is a leader in streamlining communication with machines on the shop floor. We develop solutions that address the wide variety of protocols used by manufacturing equipment, PLCs, SCADA applications, MES and ERP systems. We have vast experience with protocols such as OPC-UA, Modbus, ROS and SECSII/GEM. GTMI has also helped develop key industry standards, including MTConnect and Computer Aided Manufacturing using XML (CAMX).
  • Cloud Computing: Cloud computing is swiftly transforming manufacturing by providing unprecedented access to innovation, software, services and infrastructure. GTMI develops and deploys cloud solutions in an array of areas, including machine learning, Internet of Things, stream analytics, high-speed processing of data, load balancing, standardized architectures, optimal data storage and presentation. We can help you navigate the myriad of cloud services and vendors to reduce costs and enhance success.
  • Edge Devices: GTMI is at the forefront of developing edge devices capable of high-speed sensor data gathering, enabling smarter decisions. We know how to install edge devices within machine tools and work cells to efficiently collect, analyze and transmit information, empowering quick process improvements without the need to transfer large amounts of data.
  • Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence: The massive growth of Machine Learning (ML) can deliver exceptional insight into processes and operations. GTMI applies analytic techniques, software libraries and hardware platforms to solve problems that have long frustrated manufacturers. And we go beyond concept to application. Our diverse array of industrial equipment allows us to run experiments to verify ML algorithms, ensuring successful deployment.
  • Predictive Maintenance: GTMI can help you minimize the guesswork of scheduling maintenance by implementing a predictive approach. Maintenance routines are often based on the calendar, rather than on true need. Unfortunately, that means parts can be replaced too soon (wasting usable life and causing machine downtime) or too late (resulting in unplanned outages). Our approach allows manufacturers to monitor equipment and perform maintenance when degradation is detected, paving the way for reduced downtime, cost and risk.
  • Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE): GTMI offers the expertise you need to leverage OEE for your factory assets, delivering information that can be reliably used for comparison, benchmarking and decision-making. We analyze machine utilization, throughput, part quality and performance relative to schedule. Since OEE calculations require data from machine, quality, MES, ERP and scheduling systems, our advanced knowledge of those systems is critical.
  • Cybersecurity: GTMI leads research into methods, techniques, standards and software to enhance the security and resilience of manufacturing systems. As technology and equipment are added, security vulnerability grows. Cybersecurity has become a significant cost driver, and many manufacturers struggle to know what to do next. We can help.

To learn more
For more information, please visit the GTMI Factory Information Systems (FIS) web site.

A Glimpse Into Smart Manufacturing

Smart manufacturing is about harnessing new technologies to enable faster, better, cheaper. Several new technologies help to achieve those goals. GTMI is helping to take the manufacturing community to new heights and ensure competitive advantages.

RFID bench testing of units (for counting products in manufacturing facility)

This picture shows three sensor kits that were developed by GTMI and are undergoing testing in the GTMI Factory Information Systems lab prior to being deployed on press brakes at a factory where they will be used to determine part throughput and the tooling used to produce the parts. The kits contain a single board Linux computer that uses an RFId antenna to detect industrial RFId tags mounted on the tooling and proximity switches to determine machine cycles.

Faculty and Research Collaborators at GT

  • Burak Bagdatli, Ph.D., Research Engineer II, Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory (ASDL), School of Aerospace Engineering
  • James Budd, Ph.D., Chair and Professor, School of Industrial Design
  • Olivia Fischer, Ph.D., Senior Research Engineer; Chief, Digital Engineering Division, Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory (ASDL), School of Aerospace Engineering
  • Katherine Fu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Mechanical Engineering
  • Amit Jariwala, Ph.D., Director of Design & Innovation, School of Mechanical Engineering
  • Thomas Kurfess, Ph.D., Executive Director of GTMI, Professor and HUSCO/Ramirez Distinguished Chair in Fluid Power and Motion Control, School of Mechanical Engineering
  • Christopher Le Dantec, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Digital Media Program, School of Literature, Media, and Communication 
  • Alain Louchez, Co-Founder and Director Emeritus, Georgia Tech's Center for the Development and Application of Internet-of-Things Technologies (CDAIT)
  • Vijay Madesetti, Ph.D., Professor, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Dimitri Mavris, Ph.D., Regents Professor, Boeing Professor of Advanced Aerospace Systems Analysis, & Langley Distinguished Professor in Advanced Aerospace Systems Architecture, School of Aerospace Engineering
  • Shreyes Melkote, Ph.D., Morris M. Bryan, Jr. Professorship in Mechanical Engineering
  • Roxanne Moore, Ph.D., Research Engineer II, School of Mechanical Engineering
  • Tegas Puranik, Ph.D., Research Engineer II, Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory (ASDL), School of Aerospace Engineering
  • Alyssa Rumsey, Ph.D., Senior Industry Engagement Manager, Center of Innovation for Manufacturing, Georgia Department of Economic Development
  • Christopher Saldana, Ph.D., Ring Family Professor, Manufacturing 
  • Wei Wang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Industrial Design
  • Chip White, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 
  • Miyako Wilson, Research Engineer, Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory (ASDL), School of Aerospace Engineering
  • Chuck Zhang, Ph.D., Harold E. Smalley Professor, School of Industrial & Systems Engineering