Research Areas
Digitization, Modeling, Optimization, and Simulation in the Context of Advanced Manufacturing
Objective: Study of digital methods, tools, and technologies aimed at transforming production processes. Includes modeling of manufacturing systems, development of digital twins, data analysis, optimization algorithms, and virtual environments to support decision-making. This line strengthens Production Engineering by offering quantitative and digital approaches to improve planning, reduce waste, increase operational efficiency, and support the design of more robust and sustainable processes in the context of Industry 4.0.
Keywords: Digital Manufacturing; Production system modeling; Discrete simulation; Process optimization; Production planning and control; Advanced manufacturing.
Automation, Connectivity, and Cyber-Physical Systems
Objective: Research and development of solutions for industrial automation, equipment integration, and implementation of cyber-physical systems in production environments. The line covers legacy machine connectivity, interoperability between platforms, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, data acquisition and processing, and the application of advanced control and supervision methods. It directly contributes to Production Engineering by enabling more efficient, reliable, and integrated operations, allowing for greater productivity, reduced failures, and support for data-driven decision making.
Keywords: Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT); Advanced manufacturing; Legacy machine connectivity; Data acquisition; Operational efficiency.
Smart Vertical Farms
Objective: Investigation of technologies applied to the automation, control, digitization, and optimization of indoor vertical farming systems. This includes studies on sensing, optimized artificial lighting, energy efficiency, AI integration in cultivation systems, and the development of intelligent architectures for agricultural production in controlled environments.
Keywords: Precision agriculture; Controlled cultivation systems; Artificial lighting; Artificial intelligence in agriculture; Sustainable production.