Towards Advanced Factory Digitalization: Integrating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for 3D Modelling

Creating factory layouts and digital models as a base for digital twins is traditionally a time-consuming, expensive, and complex process that requires significant IT expertise. Existing methods like 3D laser scanning are costly and can miss critical parts of manufacturing elements, leading to a high inhibition level. Therefore, building upon previous research, we have developed a method for generating 3D models of manufacturing and logistics systems using an affordable, commercially available UAV without mounting additional sensors or cameras. The workflow of the method can be separated into four steps: UAV-based data collection, point-cloud creation, 3D-modelling and automatic generation of a CAD layout. By leveraging the capabilities of the inbuilt camera of a low-cost UAV and photogrammetry techniques this method offers a cost-effective, timesaving and relatively simple alternative to traditional 3D scanning methods. In addition, the depicted method advances the transformation towards Industry 5.0 by enabling easier layout planning and process simulation as well as providing a scalable approach for the development of digital models, particularly for organizations with limited resources.