A Cloud-Monitoring Service for Manufacturing Environments

Abstract Cloud application services are being implemented in all areas of engineering. Manufacturing engineering could benefit from the implementation of cloud-technologies that lead to an improved production and product-cost reduction. This paper proposes the development of a flexible, scalable, versatile, highly affordable and open-source cloud-platform for implementing sensor networks in support of advanced manufacturing. In particular, a two-layer-network architecture is present and explained through real applications in the area of advanced manufacturing. Two case studies present the collection, storage, and sharing of data over the network. Results show the successful integration of communication protocols across the cyber physical system as well as the reliability of the platform and its ability to log data. This architecture has the potential of generating great impact on the new area of digital manufacturing.