Pilot Demonstration (PD) Project: TPV4LIGHT
The TPV4LIGHT Pilot Demonstration (PD) project is pursuing directly the S4 goals, where we will establish innovative processes for the production of chassis components for lightweight vehicles of the future. Within the consortium of innovative companies that complementarily accompany knowledge and competencies, we will develop and test completely new methods and high value-added technological solutions which have a global market potential. Regardless of the type of propulsion and the way vehicles will be used in the future, sustainable weight reduction of vehicles [1] is an important motivation for research and development in the automotive industry, with the aim of reducing raw materials, energy and emissions. The base of the lightweight concept is “the right material in the right place, in the right quantity and for an affordable price”. The global winners in component development and production will be those who will be able to respond to these requirements, who will understand the lightweight product design and will manage to offer breakthrough technological solutions for their production.
The main result of the TPV4LIGHT project will be the development and successful demonstration of innovative processes for advanced robotic technology lines for the design and assembly of high-strength steel chassis components for the automotive industry. In the development of a complete technological process of transformation of input raw materials, we will integrate optimized traditional technologies (design and merging of semi-finished, high-grade steel new generation products) with modern visual-voice technologies and enabling technologies.
The demonstration system, which will demonstrate innovative processes, will include a modern servopress with smart tools and intelligent guided assembly line with robotic joining systems, innovative weld cooling, automated weld control, advanced systems for manipulation and control using 3D machine vision, laser technology, and systems fot automated handling and automated logistics with automated guided vehicles. The entire system will be simulated, optimized, controled and managed through a digital twin. The machines, tools and products data will be captured via IoT interfaces and transmitted using blockchain technology to ensure data security and event traceability. For advanced human-machine communication, we will integrate and demonstrate advanced speech technology and artificial intelligence methods for proactive machines and devices control to get the best end products in given circumstances.
In part of the PD project, we will demonstrate a complete inovative processes concept in the factories of the future, highlighting all four perspectives of Industry 4.0: manufacturing processes, machines, tools and devices, software and engineering. In accordance with the Industry 5.0 concept, we will demonstrate a new approach to human inclusion and a broader project orientation from economical, environmental and social point of view. With the realization of the TPV4LIGHT project, we will contribute to the introduction of the lightweight concept in the production of components for the vehicles of the future, to the time shortening of technological processes development, expansion of effectiveness of processes, faster response to customer demands, and thus increase the competitiveness in the global car market.
The consortium partners will obtain important references in the field of manufacturing and enabling technologies, which will help us to obtain commercial business both domestically and especially in the foreign market. We will develop and test the TPV4LIGHT project solutions and demonstrate them to the general public aiming to share technical knowledge, spreading the engineering culture, encouraging young people for technical professions and last but not least, demonstrate our knowledge and competencies to potential customers.
Project duration: 36 months
Start of project: February 1, 2019
End of project: January 31 2022
Project value: 18.914.963,38 EUR
Co-financing value: EUR 4,999,679.48
More about the European cohesion policy in Slovenia on the website www.eu-skladi.si
