MARS (Manufacturing Architecture for Resilience and Sustainability), a pioneering initiative steered by the European Union, was born out of the challenges unearthed by the COVID crisis, specifically within supply chains. The project endeavors to establish an industrial production system that expertly navigates logistic challenges while integrating a resilient and sustainable architecture coupled with innovative production methods.
MARS is engineered to create a paradigm shift in the manufacturing sector by fostering unprecedented flexibility without compromising product requirements, quality standards, or sustainability commitments. By leveraging advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, and cloud and edge computing, it aims to deliver a highly adaptable, dynamic manufacturing landscape that bolsters manufacturers’ agility and responsiveness to supply and demand fluctuations. This versatile approach encompasses all facets of manufacturing, forming an interconnected and intelligent ecosystem that integrates seamlessly with the supply chain, promoting real-time monitoring and control.
The MARS project represents a significant stride towards achieving enhanced agility, customisation, cost-effectiveness, and ultimately heightened customer satisfaction in the manufacturing sector.
- Name: MARS
- Project Start: January 1, 2023
- Partners: 13 partners from 8 European countries
- Funded by: The European Union
- Project website: MARS
MARS intends to leverage advanced innovations rooted in AI-centric digital manufacturing, inclusive of digital twins and data-driven production processes. These sophisticated technologies empower manufacturers with the capacity to simulate and optimise production operations, curtail testing durations and expenses, enhance product quality, and mitigate waste.
In a bid to construct a remarkably adaptable and dynamic manufacturing landscape capable of swift responses to shifts in demand and supply, MARS is dedicated to availing these transformative technologies to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This commitment is anticipated to significantly boost the overall productivity and efficiency of the manufacturing sector.
Furthermore, MARS strives to curtail dependence on low-cost countries for production, advocating instead for a network of European SMEs that can connect to the platform to meet order demands. This strategy promotes the dispersal of large-scale production across various SMEs at the European level, fostering a more balanced and resilient production ecosystem.
Traditional manufacturing methodologies, including lean manufacturing, no longer suffice in satisfying the escalating demand for heightened industrial resilience in today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving market. Despite certain European manufacturing SMEs reigning as global leaders within their respective domains, they are increasingly imperiled by a shortfall in technical innovation and supply chain crises.
Moreover, the resilience dichotomy between highly digitalised enterprises and those with lesser digital adoption underscores the imperative of assimilating digital technologies. In light of uncertain times, the ability for manufacturers to make swift decisions has emerged as a critical factor, underscoring the necessity to optimize decision-making processes in order to retain their competitive standing in the global market.
The MARS consortium comprises 13 project partners from 8 different European countries, bringing together expertise from academia, industry, and research organisations. By collaborating with these partners, MARS aims to create a pan-European network of manufacturers, suppliers, and stakeholders, promoting the development and adoption of innovative technologies and practices across the manufacturing industry. With this collaborative approach, MARS aims to contribute to a more sustainable and competitive manufacturing industry in Europe and beyond.