Industry 4.0 Implementation Framework for the Composite Manufacturing Industry

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The subject of the paper is very interesting and topical. The research area is defined as an intersection of challenges in the composites industry and Industry 4.0, and the result is an Industry 4.0 implementation model for the composites manufacturing industry that can be used both in academia and in manufacturing practice.

The paper brings a valuable contribution to the field of Industry 4.0 through the critical analysis of the main works in the field, as well as in the field of composite materials industry, through the development of a V model for the implementation of Industry 4.0 in this manufacturing area. The paper is very well organized and has a good synthesis of the literature (201 topical references).

In order to develop the Industry 4.0 implementation model for the composites manufacturing industry, the authors performed and presented a deep analysis of composites in manufacturing sectors, Industry 4.0 enabling technologies, and business challenges.

Thus, the paper presents a critical literature review of the trends and challenges related to composites manufacturing (section 2) and a review of Industry 4.0 usage for composites manufacturing (section 3). The findings of existing composites challenges are used as indicators to point out the potential benefits of Industry 4.0 and to aid the exploration of possible implementation frameworks (section 4). These identified trends and challenges within the composite manufacturing sector are used form the authors to develop an Industry 4.0 implementation framework relevant to the composites manufacturing industry (section 5).

Based on the investigated literature and evidence from the technology survey, the authors proposed a conceptual implementation framework for the process of defining, designing, and implementing Industry 4.0 in composites manufacturing enterprises. This model is called "V model of system engineering" and includes 9 implementation phases. All these phases are very well described, correlating with the conclusions drawn from the previous critical analysis and presenting references to existing research.

The authors highlight that this model needs further development and validation to become a useful tool in guiding businesses along the implementation path and proposed a set of important questions to be investigated to support the further development of the model.

 

To improve the quality of the paper, I suggest the authors include the references mentioned on page 30 (lines 966 - 988) in Table 1, associated with "Enabling Technologies for Industry 4.0".

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Upon review of the revised manuscript, I cannot recommend it for publication in this journal. I do not believe that the manuscript has been sufficiently condensed and the length still detracts from the overall merit. Also, after further evaluation of the Journal of Composites Science, I don't think that the manuscript fits very well within the scope of the journal.

However, I don't want the authors to be discouraged by this. I still believe the manuscript to have lots of valuable information and the conceptual implementational framework will surely be valuable to the correct audience. With this, I'd like to suggest that the manuscript be submitted to a different mdpi journal, such as the Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing or IoT, which may have better target audiences.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The authors have revised the manuscript based on suggestions and observations of the reviewers. Thus, the manuscript is much better written and organized.

 

Consequently, I recommend the publication of the paper in the Journal of Composites Science.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 3

Reviewer 1 Report

Since this manuscript has been returned to me again, I must assume the the Journal of Composites Science editors do in fact think that it falls within the scope of the journal. I also believe that the response provided by the authors gives a better justification for the length of the manuscript, with supporting citations. I can therefore accept the manuscript in its present form. Congratulations to the authors.