Model-based Approach for the Automation and Acceleration of the CE-Conformity Process for Modular Production Systems: Future Requirements and Potentials

In the ultra-flexible factory, production machines reconfigure themselves ad-hoc depending on incoming production orders. Consequently, the IFF institute has developed a modular cyber-physical system (CPS) that consists of configurable robotic components. This paper is motivated by the need to reduce the effort and time associated with the CE conformity process for manufacturing systems with frequent reconfigurations, thus minimizing non-value adding machine downtime and increasing Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE). It presents an approach for an automated assistant system for the required risk assessment process using a database of previous CE conform system configurations and a reasoner that is able to verify the existence of a CE conform configuration that supersedes the hazards and risks of the new configuration. This allows the protective measures listed in the previous CE conform configuration to be reused, as well as a large part of the respective CE documentation.