Course summary

Modern manufacturing engineers not only need to be experts in the latest classic manufacturing technologies – they need to know how to exploit the power of digital manufacturing to stay competitive in an increasingly global digital market. This course helps you to get a deeper insight into the necessary cyber-physical technologies and new developing business models. Industry 4.0 concepts are revolutionising the world and modern industry is adopting rapidly and at a vast scale, creating new business models and digital technologies. Products are becoming increasingly customisable and interactive. The power of digital manufacturing also allows creating agile and autonomous production processes that can deliver at scale through smart global digital communication technologies. Industry business models are also shifting significantly; extensive mass customisation is augmented by direct prosumer engagement and services become instantaneous and ubiquitous. Digital manufacturing utilises Industry 4.0 technologies such as Cyber Physical Systems, Industrial Internet of Things, Additive Manufacturing and Autonomous Mechatronic Systems. Digital Manufacturing also feeds into new business models such as Through-Life Engineering and Cloud Manufacturing – all extremely hot topics with vast industrial as well as academic potential.