Traditionally, manufacturing has been viewed as a process that transforms raw materials into physical products through the best automation practices available. However, advancements in technology, coupled with a growing focus on sustainability, optimization, and meeting evolving customer demands, have triggered a transformation in the industry. Modern manufacturing is now moving towards becoming fully connected, adaptive, and aware of its own resource efficiency, particularly in terms of energy management.

One of the key drivers of this transformation is the integration of information technology (IT) with conventional automation systems. Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) are at the heart of this innovation, merging the physical and virtual worlds to create a highly connected environment where intelligent systems communicate and interact autonomously. CPS enables the creation of an Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure, where smart services and products can be designed and deployed.

In essence, a Cyber-Physical System (CPS) is a “thing” in the Internet of Things (IoT)—a combination of mechanical, electronic, and software components that communicate over data networks like the Internet. These systems are capable of reacting flexibly to external influences and exchanging data with other CPSs and broader information systems. In manufacturing, CPS is integral to creating Cyber-Physical Production Systems (CPPS), where smart production and logistics units interact autonomously, exchanging data and triggering actions within the production process.

These cyber-physical production systems enable the restructuring and optimization of processes in manufacturing, engineering, materials management, supply chain management, and life cycle management. By creating a seamless exchange of data, these systems enable manufacturers to make more informed, real-time decisions, leading to significant improvements in efficiency, flexibility, and resource management.

One of the challenges in traditional manufacturing is the segmentation and isolation of manufacturing data within legacy systems, which limits digital continuity. Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) overcome this by providing real-time information from the physical world and enabling efficient analysis, management, and sharing of data across systems. The cyber-physical collaboration environment fosters enhanced decision-making by uniting data from various sources and using the expertise of all stakeholders involved.

The impact of CPS on manufacturing is revolutionary, enabling new business models, services, and value chains. As the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds blur, CPS is laying the foundation for smart manufacturing, making industrial processes more efficient, responsive, and sustainable.