Towards intelligent welding systems from a HCPS perspective: A technology framework and implementation roadmap

A framework and implementation roadmap for an intelligent welding system (IWS) is proposed from the human-cyber-physical systems (HCPS) perspective of integrating cyber systems with humans and physical systems. Key technologies and system requirements for the framework are comprehensively analyzed. A technology network is proposed to explore the link between complex IWS technologies and application domain requirements. To investigate the practical extent of the state-of-the-art, an example enterprise illustrates the technologies necessary to implement an IWS and the representative technological gaps. Technologies required for IWS were evaluated for their maturity, benefit, and market availability using the Gartner hype-cycle and priority matrix methodology. Finally, an implementation roadmap with research suggestions towards IWS is recommended. This work can support enterprises or factories that want to implement intelligent welding into their operations by clarifying the development state of intelligent technologies and the priority by which further development should be pursued.