Industry 4.0
Vol. 10 (2025), Issue 5

Table of Contents

  • DOMINANT TECHNOLOGIES IN “INDUSTRY 4.0”

    • Determination of the stress-strain state of an aircraft wing twisted around its spar

      pg(s) 161-165

      This article examines the stiffness calculations for a wing pre-twisted relative to its spar. Such wings can be used in experimental aircraft to study changes in their aerodynamic properties during flight testing at various twist angles. Such variable-geometry wings require comprehensive investigation using strength of materials and elasticity theory. This problem is fundamental to the structural mechanics of aircraft.

    • Industry 4.0-Focused Dynamic Tension Control in Wet Wipe Production: Development of Automatic Braking and Accumulation System

      pg(s) 166-169

      In roll-to-roll systems like wet wipe production, the synchronous and smooth unwinding of the web material with constant tension is critical for product quality and production efficiency. Traditional constant belt braking mechanisms cause tension issues due to varying bobbin diameter and friction-induced heating, leading to web undulations, stretching, and breaks in sensitive materials such as wetlace. To overcome these operational challenges, an automatically controlled braking and accumulator system has been developed. The system instantly measures product tension by monitoring web position using a laser ruler and dynamically adjusts the pneumatic brake force via a high-frequency PID algorithm updated every 5 milliseconds. Furthermore, a constant pressure pneumatic piston acts as an accumulator, balancing the web’s vertical movements and dampening instantaneous tension variations. This system, compliant with Industry 4.0 principles and based on real-time feedback, solves critical tension control problems, ensures continuity in product quality, and establishes a new concept that is a pioneering example in the global market.

    • Integrated hybrid photovoltaic system for production, storage and use of electricity for energy-intensive processes

      pg(s) 170-173

      In today’s global industrial environment, the need for sustainable, efficient, and energy-saving solutions for energy supply is more significant than ever and every enterprise that has adopted the policy of a green and low-carbon economy must seek such solutions. Enterprises must analyze their largest energy consumers and look for alternative options for generating and using “green energy”. Photovoltaic systems are among the most common solutions, but their dependence on weather conditions requires integration with energy storage systems. This report presents a model and analysis of an integrated hybrid photovoltaic system with battery storage, designed to provide electricity for energy-intensive production processes under the conditions of the Bulgarian climate and electricity market.

    • Surface Characterization of 2D Layers for Sensor Applications using SEM and 3D Laser Microscopy

      pg(s) 174-177

      Two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene and tungsten disulfide (WS₂ ) are promising candidates for gas sensors due to their unique electrical and surface properties. Graphene exhibits high conductivity and mechanical strength, while its oxidized or functionalized forms enhance chemical reactivity and gas adsorption. WS₂ , a semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenide, shows strong surface interactions with gases, enabling sensitive detection even at room temperature.
      In this work, graphene and WS₂ thin films were characterized to evaluate surface morphology, uniformity, and structural quality. Graphene films were prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and transferred onto SiO₂ /Si substrates, while WS₂ films with thicknesses of 20 nm and 50 nm were obtained via CVD and sputtering. Surface analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and 3D laser microscopy revealed that graphene films are highly uniform and smooth, whereas WS₂ films exhibit thickness-dependent surface roughness and texture. These findings provide insights into the relationship between film morphology and gas sensing performance, highlighting the potential of both materials for sensor applications.

    • Design, Modeling, and Construction of a Compact Gas Turbine Prototype for Educational and Experimental Applications

      pg(s) 178-181

      This study presents the design, modeling, and construction of a compact gas turbine prototype. The main goal is to combine theoretical thermodynamic analysis with practical mechanical realization, enabling visualization and study of the performance of a microgas turbine system for educational and research purposes. The design phase was carried out in SolidWorks, where each turbine component, including the compressor, combustion chamber, turbine, etc., were individually modeled to ensure dimensional accuracy and fit during assembly. The 3D model served as the basis for the production and assembly of the real parts of the prototype, built with machined metal components and mounted on a customized steel frame. The combustion and exhaust system was designed to ensure controlled fuel flow and safe ignition conditions, while the shaft was supported on precision bearings to minimize vibration and friction losses. The physical realization, combined with CAD modeling and thermodynamic cycle analysis, provides an excellent platform for studying the thermodynamics of the Brayton cycle, energy conversion efficiency, and heat transfer mechanisms in compact turbines. The study shows that interdisciplinary collaboration between mechanical design, thermodynamics, and practical realization can lead to the construction of a functional prototype for educational and research purposes, which can serve as a basis for experimental testing and further developments in the field of gas microturbines. Future work will include the integration of sensors for real-time data collection and the comparison of experimental performance with theoretical predictions.

  • BUSINESS & “INDUSTRY 4.0”

    • Increasing Management Effectiveness by Integrating Industry 5.0 Philosophy into Industry 4.0

      pg(s) 182-186

      Industry 4.0 has established itself as an era of digital transformation, automation, and intelligent technologies that integrate machine systems, data, and processes into a unified architecture. Its core strength is rooted in efficiency, speed, and systematic optimization. However, the pursuit of maximum productivity often displaces anthropometric factors – ethical values, sustainable development, and the social dimensions of technological progress. This is precisely where the philosophy of Industry 5.0 is positioned, building upon the previous paradigm by placing humans at the center of transformational processes. If Industry 4.0 represents the era of machine dominance, then Industry 5.0 introduces the era of symbiosis between human and technological capabilities. The change goes beyond theoretical frameworks and generates measurable results. When people are perceived as partners rather than victims of technological progress, innovations become bolder, products more personalized, and business models more sustainable. Industry 5.0 does not reject digitalization but humanizes it by integrating values such as sustainable development, social responsibility, and balance between technological innovation and human creativity.

    • Implementing the Industry 4.0 concept in family firms – a case study from Poland

      pg(s) 187-189

      Family firms constitute an important element of the modern economy, combining the values of tradition, intergenerational continuity, and social responsibility. Their activities are often characterized by a conservative approach to strategic decision-making and a cautious attitude toward innovation. However, in the face of increasing global competition and rapid technological change, maintaining a sustainable market position requires openness to digital transformation and the implementation of the Industry 4.0 concept. Industry 4.0 represents a new paradigm of business activity, combining digital technologies and the Internet with conventional manufacturing processes, in order to enhance their efficiency and flexibility. The aim of this paper is to analyze the implementation of the Industry 4.0 concept in a medium-sized family enterprise located in north-eastern Poland. Over its more than forty-year history, the company has undergone a profound transformation from a manufacturer of simple metal products and agricultural tools, through a producer of cable connectors for the shipbuilding industry, to a specialized supplier of components for the aviation, automotive, and railway sectors. In recent years, the company, supported by grants from European Union funds, has established an R&D department as well as a Center for Robotics and Automation, forming the foundation of its digital transformation process. The results of the study indicate that the implementation of Industry 4.0 solutions has contributed to strengthening the company’s competitive position and facilitating its expansion into international markets. The key determinants of success were effective intergenerational succession, the pro-innovative attitudes of family members, and cooperation with universities and research entities.

    • Determination of the Origin and Quality of Honey through Pollen and Physicochemical Analysis

      pg(s) 190-193

      Honey is a valuable natural product with a complex composition, shaped by the botanical and geographical origin of nectar sources as well as the environmental conditions of the collection area. To ensure the authenticity, quality, and safety of honey, various analytical methods are applied, among which pollen and physicochemical analyses are of particular importance.
      In this study, a pollen analysis was performed to determine the floral origin of the honey, alongside the measurement of electrical conductivity as an indicator of mineral content, acidity, and sugar composition. Samples were prepared by dissolving in distilled water and centrifugation, followed by the preparation of microscopic slides for pollen grain identification. The resulting data allowed the classification of honey as either monofloral or polyfloral, and identification of the predominant plant species in the collection area.
      The combined approach of pollen and physicochemical analysis provides a reliable and scientifically grounded assessment of honey origin and quality, supporting product control, certification, and authenticity verification.

  • SOCIETY & ”INDUSTRY 4.0”