A method to support joint integration of Lean manufacturing and Industry 4.0

Over several decades, manufacturing enterprises have embraced Lean manufacturing (LM) to enhance the management of operations and optimize their production processes. In more recent times, the advent of transformative technologies facilitating network connectivity and process digitalization has underscored the imperative to adopt Industry 4.0 (I4.0), leading to smart manufacturing. Consequently, the simultaneous incorporation of these paradigms necessitates comprehending their interplay, elucidating the interconnections and collective impact on performance through the modeling of influence. Manufacturing enterprises often find themselves at a crossroads when aspiring to integrate both LM and I4.0. This article seeks to reinforce the integration of LM and I4.0 by presenting an accurately identified array of combinations through a comprehensive links cartography. The integration model, automatized by the proposed LeaTechRP algorithm, considers the company's desired objectives and offers diverse pathways to achieve them. The overarching goal is to furnish a decision-aided approach that explores a cohesive implementation path assessing the usefulness of LM tools and the relevancy of I4.0 technologies. Finally, the method application is showcased within the realm of the automotive industry. This demonstration serves to underscore the practical insight, extending its relevance from a strategic perspective to the operational level within the production workshops.