Model Factory@SIMTech—Sense and Response Manufacturing for Industry 4.0

In the first decade after the conceptualization of Industry 4.0, practical implementations in Singapore were few and piecewise. In 2017, the Singapore Institute for Manufacturing Technology launched the Model Factory@SIMTech to allow local SMEs and manufacturing companies to learn and experiment with advanced digital technologies in a real-life production environment. By building a complete digital thread, a connected manufacturing environment was enabled, developing the capabilities for any-mix-any-volume production through digital manufacturing, finally resulting in Sense and Response Manufacturing supported by smart decision technologies. This book chapter summarizes the key elements and decisions leading to Sense & Response Manufacturing, and the resulting impact on enabling digital transformation in Singapore industry. These will be invaluable for readers in driving similar transformation in their respective manufacturing contexts.