DiFac: an integrated scenario for the digital factory

Digital Factory is a comprehensive approach of network of digital models, methods, and tools - including modelling, simulation and 3D/Virtual Reality visualization- integrated by a continuous data management. (DiFac brochure, 2007). This paper describes the results of the research project named DiFac (FP6-2005-IST-5-035079) founded by the European Commission. DiFac realized a suite of results able to drive manufacturing SMEs from Digital to Virtual Factory. The DiFac Integrated Scenario illustrates the modularity and scalability of the project results. The paper shows a not so far in the future daily life in a possible manufacturing factory named SECONDA Laser Machine. Different actors in various parts of the world re-design a new product in a collaborative and delocalised way, re-organize the production line evaluating it with simulation and ergonomics and finally use the new technologies as Virtual and Augmented reality for designing the new laser machine and maintaining it efficiently.