Efficient Identification and Validation of Control Program Changes in an Automated Production System Using Virtual Commissioning

The increasing complexity of automated production systems, especially in industries like aircraft manufacturing, calls for a methodological framework to efficiently manage and validate control program changes. This paper proposes a novel approach, Continuous Virtual Commissioning in Operation (CVCO), designed to detect and validate such changes during operational phases. CVCO enhances system efficiency and reliability by integrating virtual commissioning, which focuses on validating only the identified changes, thereby minimizing downtime. This structured framework ensures operational integrity through the identification and validation of program changes. Validation through a scenario involving a single robotic system illustrates the feasibility and effectiveness of the approach, indicating its potential applicability in various manufacturing domains involving complex scenarios.