(An) analysis of fully personalized products in the manufacturing sector and related Industry 4.0 technologies

Abstract

Fully personalized production paradigm is the upcoming trend, it represents a shift from mass production, and mass personalization to the market of one by tailoring the products to the specific needs and preferences of each customer. This novel paradigm paves the way for novel fully personalized products, in which customers and manufacturers work together along the life cycle of a product. The fully personalized products are enabled by a number of digital and manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing, collaborative robots (Cobots), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Digital Twins (DT). Mass personalization paradigm and fully personalized products are important for manufacturers since they support manufacturing firms to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, improving profitability, differentiating themselves from competitors setting competitive advantages, and fulfilling customers’ expectations at affordable prices. The novel personalization paradigm promises tons of benefits to both manufacturers and customers, however, there is a lack of comprehensive studies on the relation of Industry 4.0 technologies along the life cycle of fully personalized products. In the first study of the thesis, we identify the application of Industry 4.0T technologies along the fully personalized products life cycle (FPPLC) by following a systematic literature review (SLR) technique. We first propose an updated FPPLC that catches the distinguishing features of personalized products, and we also classify the technologies to be analyzed in different groups for the sake of clarity. A total of 53 papers were obtained to run the analysis. Findings suggest that Digital Twin is the technology with a broader scope of applications along the FPPLC and Cyber-physical systems and Smart factory technologies have limited applications mainly focusing on the production and logistics stages. This first essay allows manufacturers to shed light on the importance and impact of each technology along the FPPLC.

Motivated by the results of the first essay, where the DT is identified as a key technology with the largest impact along the life cycle of fully personalized products. Moreover, since academic literature does not offer an analysis of the challenges this technology must overcome to embrace the production of fully personalized products, we decided to focus our research efforts on this topic. Consequently, in the second study, by conducting a traditional literature review and multiple study cases, we identified nine challenges that DT technology must overcome in the manufacturing industry to embrace fully personalized product production and smart and personalized services embedded. The challenges are classified from the perspectives of manufacturers and products. The challenges identified in this essay give insights for manufacturers seeking to adopt DT technology for personalization business strategy. In conclusion, the findings of both studies provide insight into fully personalized products in the manufacturing industry and the application of Industry 4.0 technologies, we pay deep attention to Tier-1 technologies.