Home Data-Driven Decision-Making: Leveraging Digital Twins for Reprocessing in the Circular Factory
Article Open Access

Data-Driven Decision-Making: Leveraging Digital Twins for Reprocessing in the Circular Factory

  • Nehal Afifi

    Nehal Afifi is a researcher at IPEK – Institute of Product Engineering – Chair of Power Tools and Machine Elements at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Her research focuses on the data-driven validation of machine elements, with a particular emphasis on statistical learning, machine learning, and deep learning techniques for testing and reliability assessment. As part of the research group “Mechatronic Machine Elements and System Reliability”, she contributes to sustainability, connectivity, and individualization by developing innovative data-driven approaches for the testing and validation of mechatronic systems. Her work also supports the vision of a Circular Factory, focusing on reliability modeling.

    EMAIL logo
    , Victor Mas

    Victor Mas is a researcher at IPEK – Institute of Product Engineering – Chair of Power Tools and Machine Elements at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). His research focuses on reliability testing, with an emphasis on gaining knowledge about subsystems, their interactions with other subsystems, and how these influence overall system reliability and functional behavior over time. As part of the research group “Mechatronic Machine Elements and System Reliability”, he contributes to sustainability, connectivity, and individualization by developing new analysis methods for the collection and interpretation of load curves at the subsystem level, as well as a test method to efficiently collect reference reliability data. His work also supports the vision of a Circular Factory, focusing on reliability testing.

    , Jonas Hemmerich

    Jonas Hemmerich is a researcher at IPEK – Institute of Product Engineering – Chair of Power Tools and Machine Elements at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). His research focuses on the quantification process of relations between embodiment parameters and functional behavior, with particular emphasis on the integration of implicit design knowledge. As part of the research group “Design Methods”, his research contributes to the development and evaluation of needs-based design support for building and storing design knowledge.

    , Felix Leitenberger

    Felix Leitenberger is a researcher and team manager at IPEK – Institute of Product Engineering – Chair of Power Tools and Machine Elements. His research focuses on the validation of mechatronic systems, with particular emphasis on system reliability, cross-domain simulation modeling, and testing. As team manager of the research group “Mechatronic Machine Elements and System Reliability”, he and his team drive sustainability, connectivity, and individualization by developing innovative solutions for mechatronic systems. Their work also supports the vision of a Circular Factory, focusing on testing for reliability.

    , Luisa Hoffmann

    Luisa Hoffmann is a PhD student at the Institute for Industrial Information Technology at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, specializing in information fusion under the supervision of Professor Michael Heizmann.

    , Ali Darijani

    Ali Darijani is a researcher working with Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Jürgen Beyerer on the SFB1574.

    , Patric Grauberger

    Patric Grauberger is an academic advisor at the IPEK – Institute of Product Engineering − Chair of Power Tools and Machine Elements. He conducts research in the field of data-driven design research and functional modeling for the circular economy. From his career through vocational training, studies and doctorate to his currently aspired habilitation, the implementation of the models and methods developed in design research into practice is close to his heart.

    , Michael Heizmann

    Michael Heizmann is Professor of Mechatronic Measurement Systems at the Institute of Industrial Information Technology at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). His research interests include measurement science, machine vision, signal and image processing, image and information fusion and their applications.

    , Jürgen Beyerer

    Jürgen Beyerer has been a full professor for informatics at the Institute for Anthropomatics and Robotics at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) since March 2004 and director of the Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB in Ettlingen, Karlsruhe, Ilmenau, Görlitz, Lemgo, Oberkochen and Rostock. Research interests include automated visual inspection, signal and image processing, variable image acquisition and processing, active vision, metrology, information theory, fusion of data and information from heterogeneous sources, system theory, autonomous systems and automation.

    and Sven Matthiesen

    Sven Matthiesen is Professor and Head of Institute at IPEK – Institute of Product Engineering – Chair of Power Tools and Machine Elements. His research focuses on design methods, human-machine systems, mechatronic machine elements and system reliability. He is a DFG review board member, member of several scientific societies, former board member of WiGeP (Scientific Society of Product Development), author of over 200 scientific publications and as inventor involved in 18 patents from his time at HILTI Corporation and his current research on power tools.

Published/Copyright: March 27, 2025

Abstract

Circular factories must ensure the functionality and reliability of used components for recombination with other components or subsystems from the same or different product generations. This paper presents a data-driven decision-making framework integrating the Functional Behavior Model and System Reliability Model within a Digital Twin. Data from physical testing is continuously incorporated, simulating recombination scenarios and guiding decision-making on component reprocessing. An angle grinder is used as a case study for demonstration. The proposed framework enhances sustainability and supports the use of reprocessed components in products designed for primary markets.

Abstract

Kreislauffabriken müssen die Funktionalität und Zuverlässigkeit gebrauchter Komponenten für die Rekombination mit anderen Komponenten oder Subsystemen der gleichen oder anderer Produktgenerationen sicherstellen. In diesem Beitrag wird ein Framework zur datengetriebener Entscheidungsfindung vorgestellt, welches das funktionale Verhaltensmodell und das Systemzuverlässigkeitsmodell in einem digitalen Zwilling integriert. Es werden kontinuierlich Daten aus physischen Tests eingebunden, um Szenarien für die Rekombination zu simulieren und bei der Entscheidungsfindung für die Wiederaufbereitung von Komponenten zu unterstützen. Ein Winkelschleifer wird als Fallstudie zur Demonstration verwendet. Das vorgestellte Framework fördert die Nachhaltigkeit und unterstützt die Verwendung von wiederaufbereiteten Komponenten in Produkten, die für den Primärmarkt bestimmt sind.


Note

This article is peer reviewed by the members of the ZWF Special Issue Advisory Board.



Phone: +49 (0) 721 608-48060

About the authors

Nehal Afifi

Nehal Afifi is a researcher at IPEK – Institute of Product Engineering – Chair of Power Tools and Machine Elements at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Her research focuses on the data-driven validation of machine elements, with a particular emphasis on statistical learning, machine learning, and deep learning techniques for testing and reliability assessment. As part of the research group “Mechatronic Machine Elements and System Reliability”, she contributes to sustainability, connectivity, and individualization by developing innovative data-driven approaches for the testing and validation of mechatronic systems. Her work also supports the vision of a Circular Factory, focusing on reliability modeling.

Victor Mas

Victor Mas is a researcher at IPEK – Institute of Product Engineering – Chair of Power Tools and Machine Elements at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). His research focuses on reliability testing, with an emphasis on gaining knowledge about subsystems, their interactions with other subsystems, and how these influence overall system reliability and functional behavior over time. As part of the research group “Mechatronic Machine Elements and System Reliability”, he contributes to sustainability, connectivity, and individualization by developing new analysis methods for the collection and interpretation of load curves at the subsystem level, as well as a test method to efficiently collect reference reliability data. His work also supports the vision of a Circular Factory, focusing on reliability testing.

Jonas Hemmerich

Jonas Hemmerich is a researcher at IPEK – Institute of Product Engineering – Chair of Power Tools and Machine Elements at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). His research focuses on the quantification process of relations between embodiment parameters and functional behavior, with particular emphasis on the integration of implicit design knowledge. As part of the research group “Design Methods”, his research contributes to the development and evaluation of needs-based design support for building and storing design knowledge.

Felix Leitenberger

Felix Leitenberger is a researcher and team manager at IPEK – Institute of Product Engineering – Chair of Power Tools and Machine Elements. His research focuses on the validation of mechatronic systems, with particular emphasis on system reliability, cross-domain simulation modeling, and testing. As team manager of the research group “Mechatronic Machine Elements and System Reliability”, he and his team drive sustainability, connectivity, and individualization by developing innovative solutions for mechatronic systems. Their work also supports the vision of a Circular Factory, focusing on testing for reliability.

Luisa Hoffmann

Luisa Hoffmann is a PhD student at the Institute for Industrial Information Technology at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, specializing in information fusion under the supervision of Professor Michael Heizmann.

Ali Darijani

Ali Darijani is a researcher working with Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Jürgen Beyerer on the SFB1574.

Dr.-Ing. Patric Grauberger

Patric Grauberger is an academic advisor at the IPEK – Institute of Product Engineering − Chair of Power Tools and Machine Elements. He conducts research in the field of data-driven design research and functional modeling for the circular economy. From his career through vocational training, studies and doctorate to his currently aspired habilitation, the implementation of the models and methods developed in design research into practice is close to his heart.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Heizmann

Michael Heizmann is Professor of Mechatronic Measurement Systems at the Institute of Industrial Information Technology at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). His research interests include measurement science, machine vision, signal and image processing, image and information fusion and their applications.

Jürgen Beyerer

Jürgen Beyerer has been a full professor for informatics at the Institute for Anthropomatics and Robotics at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) since March 2004 and director of the Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB in Ettlingen, Karlsruhe, Ilmenau, Görlitz, Lemgo, Oberkochen and Rostock. Research interests include automated visual inspection, signal and image processing, variable image acquisition and processing, active vision, metrology, information theory, fusion of data and information from heterogeneous sources, system theory, autonomous systems and automation.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sven Matthiesen

Sven Matthiesen is Professor and Head of Institute at IPEK – Institute of Product Engineering – Chair of Power Tools and Machine Elements. His research focuses on design methods, human-machine systems, mechatronic machine elements and system reliability. He is a DFG review board member, member of several scientific societies, former board member of WiGeP (Scientific Society of Product Development), author of over 200 scientific publications and as inventor involved in 18 patents from his time at HILTI Corporation and his current research on power tools.

Acknowledgment

This research was funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) in the collaborative research center (CRC) 1574 “Circular Factory for the Perpetual Product” with the project ID 471687386. While preparing this work, the authors used AI tools such as deepl.com and grammarly.com to improve readability and language. After utilizing these tools, the authors reviewed and edited the content as necessary. The authors take full responsibility for the publication’s content. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Literature

1 Asch, M.: A Toolbox For Digital Twins. SIAM, 2022 DOI:10.1137/1.978161197697710.1137/1.9781611976977Search in Google Scholar

2 Lanza, G.; Deml, B.; Matthiesen, S. et al: The Vision of the Circular Factory for the Perpetual Innovative Product. at – Automatisierungstechnik 72 (2024) 9, pp. 774–788 DOI:10.1515/auto-2024-001210.1515/auto-2024-0012Search in Google Scholar

3 Grauberger, P.; Dörr, M.; Lanza, G. et al.: Enabling the Vision of a Perpetual Innovative Product – Predicting Function Fulfillment of New Product Generations in a Circular Factory. at – Automatisierungstechnik 72 (2024) 9, pp. 815–828 DOI:10.1515/auto-2024-001010.1515/auto-2024-0010Search in Google Scholar

4 Gero, J. S.; Kannengiesser, U.: The Functionbehaviour-structure Ontology of Design. In: Chakrabarti, A.; Blessing, L. T. M. (Eds.): An Anthology of Theories and Models of Design. Springer, London 2014, pp. 263–283 DOI:10.1007/978-1-4471-6338-1_1310.1007/978-1-4471-6338-1_13Search in Google Scholar

5 Naresky, J. J.: Reliability Definitions. IEEE Transactions on Reliability R-19 (1970) 4, pp. 198–200 DOI:10.1109/TR.1970.521644710.1109/TR.1970.5216447Search in Google Scholar

6 Glaessgen; E.; Stargel, D.: The Digital Twin Paradigm for Future Nasa and U. S. Air Force Vehicles. In: 53rd AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference and 20th AIAA/ASME/AHS Adaptive Structures Conference, AIAA 2012 DOI:10.2514/6.2012-181810.2514/6.2012-1818Search in Google Scholar

7 Chen, Y.: Integrated and Intelligent Manufacturing: Perspectives and Enablers. Engineering 3 (2017) 5, pp. 588–595 DOI:10.1016/J.ENG.2017.04.00910.1016/J.ENG.2017.04.009Search in Google Scholar

8 Liu, Z.; Meyendorf, N.; Mrad, N.: The Role of Data Fusion in Predictive Maintenance Using Digital Twin. In: AIP Conference Proceedings 1949 (2018) DOI:10.1063/1.503152010.1063/1.5031520Search in Google Scholar

9 VrabiČ, R.; Erkoyuncu, J. A.; Butala, P.; Roy, R.: Digital Twins: Understanding the Added Value of Integrated Models for Through-life Engineering Services. Procedia Manufacturing 16 (2018) 10, pp. 139–146 DOI:10.1016/j.promfg.2018.10.16710.1016/j.promfg.2018.10.167Search in Google Scholar

10 Madni, A. M.; Madni, C. C.; Lucero, S. D: Leveraging Digital Twin Technology in Model-based Systems Engineering. Systems 7 (2019) 1 DOI:10.3390/systems701000710.3390/systems7010007Search in Google Scholar

11 Allen, B. D.: Digital Twins and Living Models at Nasa. ASME Digital Twin Summit Presentation, 2021 (https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20210023699/downloads/ASME%20Digital%20Twin%20Summit%20Keynote_final.pdf [Accessed on Jan. 25th, 2025])Search in Google Scholar

12 Asanovic, K.; Bodik, R.; Demmel, J. et al.: A View of the Parallel Computing Landscape. Communications of the ACM 52 (2009) 10, pp. 56–67 DOI:10.1145/1562764.156278310.1145/1562764.1562783Search in Google Scholar

13 Moore, G.: Cramming More Components onto Integrated Circuits. In: Proceedings of the IEEE 86 (1998) 1, pp. 82–85 DOI:10.1109/JPROC.1998.65876210.1109/JPROC.1998.658762Search in Google Scholar

14 Hassan, R.; Qamar, F.; Hasan, M. K. et al.: Internet of Things and its Applications: a Comprehensive Survey. Symmetry 12 (2020) 10 DOI:10.3390/sym1210167410.3390/sym12101674Search in Google Scholar

15 Hennessy, J.; Patterson, D.: Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach. Morgan Kaufmann, 2017Search in Google Scholar

16 LeCun, Y.; Bengio, Y:; Hinton, G.: Deep Learning. Nature 521 (2015), pp. 436–444 DOI:10.1038/nature1453910.1038/nature14539Search in Google Scholar PubMed

17 Bakker, C.; Wang, F.; Huisman, J.; Den Hollander, M.: Products that Go Round: Exploring Product Life Extension through Design. Journal of Cleaner Production 69 (2014), pp. 10–16 DOI:10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.01.02810.1016/j.jclepro.2014.01.028Search in Google Scholar

18 Lee, E. A.; Seshia, S. A.: Introduction to Embedded Systems: A Cyber-physical Systems Approach. MIT Press, 2017Search in Google Scholar

19 Weber, C.: Modelling Products and Product Development Based on Characteristics and Properties. In: Chakrabarti, A.; Blessing, L. T. M. (Eds.): An Anthology of Theories and Models of Design. Springer, London 2014 DOI:10.1007/978-1-4471-6338-1_1610.1007/978-1-4471-6338-1_16Search in Google Scholar

20 Vajna, S.; Weber, C.; Zeman, K. et al.: CAx für Ingenieure: Eine praxisbezogene Einführung. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg 2018 DOI:10.1007/978-3-662-54624-610.1007/978-3-662-54624-6Search in Google Scholar

21 Liliana, L.: A New Model of Ishikawa Diagram for Quality Assessment. In: IOP Conference Series Materials Science and Engineering 161 (2016) DOI:10.1088/1757-899X/161/1/01209910.1088/1757-899X/161/1/012099Search in Google Scholar

22 Browning, T. R.: Applying the Design Structure Matrix to System Decomposition and Integration Problems: a Review and New Directions. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management 48 (2001) 3, pp. 292–306 DOI:10.1109/17.94652810.1109/17.946528Search in Google Scholar

23 Modarres, M.; Kaminskiy, M. P.; Krivtsov, V.: Reliability Engineering and Risk Analysis. Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton 2016 DOI:10.1201/978131538242510.1201/9781315382425Search in Google Scholar

24 Sander, J.; Beyerer, J.: Bayesian Fusion: Modeling and Application. In: 2013 Workshop on Sensor Data Fusion: Trends, Solutions, Applications (SDF), 2013, pp. 1–6 DOI:10.1109/SDF.2013.669825410.1109/SDF.2013.6698254Search in Google Scholar

25 Leitenberger, F.; Dörr, M:; Gwosch, T.; Matthiesen, S.: Methodical Approach to Instance-specific Reliability Modeling for the Perpetual Innovative Product in the Circular Factory. In: Proceedings of the ASME 2024 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (IMECE2024), Portland, Oregon, November 17-21 2024 DOI:10.1115/IMECE2024-14401310.1115/IMECE2024-144013Search in Google Scholar

26 Yingkui, G.; Jing, L.: Multi-state System Reliability: a New and Systematic Review. Procedia Engineering 29 (2012), pp. 531–536 DOI:10.1016/j.proeng.2011.12.75610.1016/j.proeng.2011.12.756Search in Google Scholar

27 Liu, Y.; Xiahou, T.; Zhang, Q. et al.: Multi-state System Reliability: an Emerging Paradigm for Sophisticated Engineered Systems. Frontiers of Engineering Management 11 (2024) 3, pp. 568–575 DOI:10.1007/s42524-024-0140-810.1007/s42524-024-0140-8Search in Google Scholar

Published Online: 2025-03-27
Published in Print: 2025-03-20

© 2025 Nehal Afifi, Victor Mas, Jonas Hemmerich, Felix Leitenberger, Luisa Hoffmann, Ali Darijani, Patric Grauberger, Michael Heizmann, Jürgen Beyerer and Sven Matthiesen, publiziert von De Gruyter

Dieses Werk ist lizensiert unter einer Creative Commons Namensnennung 4.0 International Lizenz.

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Grußwort
  2. Grußwort
  3. Inhalt
  4. Künstliche Intelligenz
  5. Künstliche Intelligenz (KI)
  6. Menschzentrierte Einführung von Künstlicher Intelligenz in Produktion und Engineering
  7. 10.1515/zwf-2024-0166
  8. 10.1515/zwf-2024-0170
  9. Von Piloten zu skalierbaren Lösungen
  10. KI in Engineering
  11. KI-Anwendungen im Engineering
  12. 10.1515/zwf-2024-0158
  13. KI-Transformation im Engineering
  14. Code the Product – Vision für die Produktentstehung der Zukunft
  15. 10.1515/zwf-2025-0156
  16. 10.1515/zwf-2025-0004
  17. Optimierung von Entwicklungsprozessen durch KI-gestütztes Generatives Engineering und Design
  18. 10.1515/zwf-2024-0141
  19. 10.1515/zwf-2024-0126
  20. Scheitert Systems Engineering an seiner eigenen Komplexität?
  21. AI-Augmented Model-Based Systems Engineering
  22. Prompt Engineering im Systems Engineering
  23. Sustainable Product Development and Production with AI and Knowledge Graphs
  24. AI-Driven ERP Systems
  25. Optimale Produktion dank Künstlicher Intelligenz
  26. KI in PLM-Systemen
  27. KI in Produktion
  28. Durchblick in der Produktion
  29. 10.1515/zwf-2025-0003
  30. Der Use-Case-First-Ansatz zum Einsatz von Künstlicher Intelligenz in der Produktion
  31. Überwindung der Programmierkluft in der Produktion und Fertigung
  32. Lean Data – Anwendungsspezifische Reduktion großer Datenmengen im Produktionsumfeld
  33. KI-Zuverlässigkeit in der Produktion
  34. KI in der Smart Factory: Warum Standardanwendungen besser sind
  35. 10.1515/zwf-2024-0160
  36. Extended Intelligence for Rapid Cognitive Reconfiguration
  37. Erfahrungsbasierte Bahnoptimierung von Montagerobotern mittels KI und Digitalen Zwillingen
  38. 10.1515/zwf-2024-0118
  39. 10.1515/zwf-2024-0152
  40. 10.1515/zwf-2024-0121
  41. Developing and Qualifying an ML Application for MRO Assistance
  42. 10.1515/zwf-2024-0169
  43. Kollaboratives Modelltraining und Datensicherheit
  44. KI-basierte Partikelgrößenbestimmung in Suspensionen
  45. 10.1515/zwf-2024-0154
  46. 10.1515/zwf-2024-0128
  47. Herausforderungen der Digitalisierung in der Klebetechnik
  48. 10.1515/zwf-2024-0168
  49. 10.1515/zwf-2024-0153
  50. Automatisierte Optimierung von Metamaterialien im Leichtbau
  51. KI-gestützte Prozessoptimierung in der Massivumformung
  52. AI-Supported Process Monitoring in Machining
  53. 10.1515/zwf-2024-0131
  54. KI in der Kommissionierung
  55. 10.1515/zwf-2024-0150
  56. 10.1515/zwf-2024-0120
  57. Qualitative und wirtschaftliche Vorteile des KI-gestützten 8D-Prozesses
  58. KI-gestützte Prognose von Durchlauf- und Lieferzeiten in der Einzel- und Kleinserienfertigung
Downloaded on 3.11.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/zwf-2024-0160/html?lang=en
Scroll to top button