The 18th CIRP Conference on Intelligent Computation in Manufacturing Engineering (CIRP ICME ’24) was held in Ischia (Naples) from 10th to 12th of July 2024. The Conference was organized by the BioMeld consortium partner Smart Sensing.
This year’s Conference focused on the applications of innovative and cognitive production technologies and systems and related artificial intelligence and machine learning methodologies for decision-making implementation, including expert systems, fuzzy logic, neural networks, evolutionary algorithms swarm intelligence, multi agents, etc., as well as hybrid systems, combining one or more of these techniques as applied to manufacturing engineering problems.
The Conference Chairman Prof. Roberto Teti opened the Conference and introduced the Plenary Session Keynote Speakers: Prof. Igor Balaž, Serbia; Dr Davide Santoro, Italy; and Prof. Giovanni Totis, Italy.
At the Plenary Session, attended by over 200 conference participants from 24 countries and 4 continents, our Project Coordinator Igor Balaž gave his keynote presentation titled The BioMeld Project: Integrating Modeling, Simulation, AI, and Biointelligent Manufacturing.
This presentation provided an overview of BioMeld’s main objectives and covered the project’s holistic approach that integrates modeling, simulation, and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to transform the design of biohybrid robots and biointelligent manufacturing processes. The presentation emphasized how advanced computational tools and AI methodologies are employed to enhance the precision and efficiency of manufacturing biohybrid materials. Igor explained the specific modeling and simulation strategies that are used to optimize the design and functionality of components and underlined how these technologies can revolutionize the production process, leading to more adaptive and sustainable manufacturing systems. The presentation was concluded with a future outlook on the potential impact of these advancements on the medical field.
Furthermore, a Special Session on “BioMeld Project & Biologicalisation in Manufacturing” was organised during the Conference and was attended by 50-60 representatives from many European and non-European research organisations. The Special Session was chaired by the BioMeld Project Coordinator Prof. Igor Balaž and had six Technical Presentations, including the one given by him, titled Smart Manufacturing and AI – Lessons from BioMeld’ Project.
This presentation explored the evolving landscape of smart manufacturing, highlighting its potential benefits, current implementation challenges, and the transformative role of AI, as exemplified by insights from the BioMeld project. Despite the recognized potential for increased efficiency, flexibility, and quality, smart manufacturing remains in the early stages of adoption. Igor described how AI is currently employed in process optimization, predictive maintenance, quality control, and production planning, while also addressing its limitations in integration, adaptability, and proactive maintenance. The presentation examined specific AI and modeling approaches, including CAD, CFD, FEA, and kinematics simulations, and evaluated their effectiveness in smart manufacturing applications. He gave insight into the shortcomings of standard AI and how next-generation AI technologies, with their ability to integrate diverse
data sources and adapt to dynamic conditions, promise to overcome these challenges. The session concluded with a future outlook on how advanced AI can revolutionize smart manufacturing, enhancing efficiency, adaptability, and innovation in the industry.
The session on the BioMeld project also included two presentations Manufacturing Process Steps in Bio-Hybrid Catheter Fabrication and Assembly and Production Planning Development for Bio-Hybrid Catheter Manufacturing given by the representatives of our Smart Sensing partner, Prof. Roberto Teti and Dr Alessandra Caggiano, respectively.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101070328.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.