Neural Networks Applied in Manufacturing and Design

A special issue of Machines (ISSN 2075-1702). This special issue belongs to the section "Machines Testing and Maintenance".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 628

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
Interests: electrical engineering; renewable energies; data science, and optimization applied to energy management; electrical equipment diagnosis
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Artificial neural networks have revolutionized manufacturing and design by enabling more efficient, accurate, and innovative processes. In the manufacturing industry, neural networks play a pivotal role in predictive maintenance, wherein they analyze data from machinery to anticipate malfunctions before their occurrence, thereby reducing downtime and maintenance expenses. They also enhance quality control by identifying defects in products with high precision. This ensures consistent quality and reduces waste.

In design, neural networks facilitate the creation of optimized parts of machines by analyzing vast amounts of process-related data to orient their improvement or design. They can quickly simulate and evaluate numerous design variations, leading to more efficient and effective machine development cycles. This capability is particularly important in industries like automotive and aerospace, where design precision and innovation are critical. In addition, applications are increasingly located in more demanding environments.

We must not forget that neural networks enhance energy efficiency by optimizing production processes, resulting in significant cost reductions and environmental advantages. They also improve supply chain management by predicting demand and optimizing inventory levels, improving overall operational efficiency.

This Special Issue welcomes proposals or applications related to neural networks in the context of manufacturing and design for improving productivity and quality and driving innovation and sustainability since they are indispensable tools in modern practices where industrial machines are the core part of the process.

Dr. Ignacio Martin-Diaz
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • predictive maintenance
  • quality control
  • process optimization
  • defect detection
  • machine design

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

29 pages, 3542 KiB  
Review
Digital Twins, AI, and Cybersecurity in Additive Manufacturing: A Comprehensive Review of Current Trends and Challenges
by Md Sazol Ahmmed, Laraib Khan, Muhammad Arif Mahmood and Frank Liou
Machines 2025, 13(8), 691; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines13080691 - 6 Aug 2025
Viewed by 379
Abstract
The development of Industry 4.0 has accelerated the adoption of sophisticated technologies, including Digital Twins (DTs), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity, within Additive Manufacturing (AM). Enabling real-time monitoring, process optimization, predictive maintenance, and secure data management can redefine conventional manufacturing paradigms. Although their [...] Read more.
The development of Industry 4.0 has accelerated the adoption of sophisticated technologies, including Digital Twins (DTs), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity, within Additive Manufacturing (AM). Enabling real-time monitoring, process optimization, predictive maintenance, and secure data management can redefine conventional manufacturing paradigms. Although their individual importance is increasing, a consistent understanding of how these technologies interact and collectively improve AM procedures is lacking. Focusing on the integration of digital twins (DTs), modular AI, and cybersecurity in AM, this review presents a comprehensive analysis of over 137 research publications from Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate. The publications are categorized into three thematic groups, followed by an analysis of key findings. Finally, the study identifies research gaps and proposes detailed recommendations along with a framework for future research. The study reveals that traditional AM processes have undergone significant transformations driven by digital threads, digital threads (DTs), and AI. However, this digitalization introduces vulnerabilities, leaving AM systems prone to cyber-physical attacks. Emerging advancements in AI, Machine Learning (ML), and Blockchain present promising solutions to mitigate these challenges. This paper is among the first to comprehensively summarize and evaluate the advancements in AM, emphasizing the integration of DTs, Modular AI, and cybersecurity strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neural Networks Applied in Manufacturing and Design)
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