CALL FOR PAPERS

TOPICS OF THE GENERAL TRACK:

Production and Supply Chain Management

Adoption of Industry 4.0 Technologies in Manufacturing 

Application of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning 

Sustainability and Circular Economy in Production 

Cyber Physical Production Systems 

Cybersecurity in Production 

Industrial Engineering and Management 

Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality in Production

Factory Planning and Maintenance

Digital Twins and Virtual Factories 

Management Engineering and Business Models 

Occupational Health, Safety and Ergonomics 

Automation and Manufacturing Technologies 

Industrial Automation and Robotics 

Additive Manufacturing  

Advanced Manufacturing Technologies 

Automatic Control and optimal Motion Planning 

Energy Efficiency of Automated Systems 

Mechanical Engineering and Design 

Product Development and Engineering 

Innovation and Design Creativity 

Material Characterization and Advanced Machine Design 

Design Optimization of Structural-Mechanical Systems 

Kinematics and Dynamics of Multibody Systems 

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SPECIAL TRACKS:

SME 5.0 – Introducing Industry 5.0 in SMEs

CHAIRS

Prof. Erwin Rauch, Free University of Bozen/Bolzano – Italy

Prof. Emmanuel Francalanza, University of Malta – Malta 

ABSTRACT

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) face numerous challenges when integrating the principles of Industry 5.0 into their operations. Limited financial resources and manpower often hinder their ability to implement extensive changes. However, SMEs frequently leverage their agility and adaptability in product offerings to maintain competitiveness in dynamic markets. Today, legislative and commercial pressures increasingly demand rapid adaptation, requiring SMEs to embrace sustainability, human-centered production, and resilience. These pressures create a complex landscape where balancing operational constraints with transformative initiatives becomes crucial. This conference track seeks to explore research that examines the challenges SMEs encounter when adopting Industry 5.0 approaches. We welcome studies that identify the specific needs of SMEs in this context and innovative solutions that address these challenges. The main topics will include, but are not limited to, the following: ,Intelligent SME Factories, Society 5.0, IIoT and Cybersecurity for SMEs, Sustainable SMEs, Human Centred SMEs, Operator 4.0 Skills

Engineering Education 5.0

CHAIRS

Prof. Manuel Woschank, Montanuniversität Leoben – Austria

Prof. Bernd Zunk, Graz University of Technology – Austria

ABSTRACT
The transformation of our industrial companies and manufacturing SMEs towards digitalization and sustainability requires a substantial change regarding the necessary competences of engineers of the future. Massive efforts are needed here to re-skill and up-skill current workforce and, subsequently, a holistic realignment of training and further education. This track includes discussions on the reorientation of the necessary competences of engineers of the future, as well as, measures for the reorientation of teaching, including new teaching and learning methods. This track welcomes researchers and industry professionals to exchange insights and creative concepts within the domains of engineering education, namely i) Logistics and Supply Management, ii) Product Development and Manufacturing, and iii) Entrepreneurship and Industrial Marketing Management, but not exclusively. By sharing the best practices, participants will actively contribute to the systematic evolution of engineering education. Topics include, for example: research into the future competences of engineers, new and/or adapted teaching and learning methods, tools for engineering education, learning factories and/or labs as a tool for engineering education, lifelong learning measures, curricula (re-)design, digitalization and/or sustainability in engineering education

Advances of Digital Twins

CHAIRS

Prof. Manuel Ferdik, Head Electronics and Data Analytics – MCI Management Center Innsbruck – Austria

Dr. Matteo De Marchi, Free University of Bozen/Bolzano – Italy

Prof. Prajaks Jitngernmadan, Burapha University – Thailand

ABSTRACT
With an eye on the future, today’s challenges are going to intensify, increasing the requirements, constraints, and objectives of manufacturing systems. The ability to quickly respond to sudden, unpredictable events that may drastically affect the ecosystem in which organization are used to operate becomes of major interest: seeking enhanced flexibility of manufacturing systems is a major goal for the future. This enables adaptability and reconfigurability, ultimately fostering systems’ resilience. Nonetheless, the transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 suggests to dedicate major attention to sustainability (environmental, economic, and social), human-centrism, and in fact, resilience. The development, deployment, and adoption of Digital Twin (DT) solutions play a fundamental role in this rapidly evolving environment. Beyond the digitalized monitoring of the twinned system, DT applications can be employed as holistic solutions to achieve: (i) real-time monitoring, (ii) data exploitation, simulation, and forecasting, and (iii) system self optimization. This Special Track seeks to collect advancement in Digital Twin technology under different aspects. These are, but are not limited to: dynamic task allocation through flexible and adaptive DT solutions (exploring how DTs can enable dynamic reallocation of tasks to optimize workflows in unpredictable environments), decentralized and distributed DT architectures (investigating scalable, robust DT frameworks to enhance system interoperability and resilience), innovative DT application fields (unveiling novel use cases of DTs across diverse manufacturing domains, including healthcare, aerospace, automotive, and energy sectors), integration of DTs with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) (applying AI and ML algorithms for predictive analytics, decision-making, and system self-optimization in DT environments).

Human-centric Manufacturing and Collaborative Automation

CHAIRS

Dr. Luca Gualtieri, Free University of Bozen/Bolzano – Italy

Dr. Federico Fraboni, University of Bologna

Dr. Fabio Grandi, University of Bologna

ABSTRACT
Sustainability is a multidisciplinary branch that includes environmental, social, and economic dimensions, constituting a fundamental “Industry 5.0” element. The fifth industrial revolution aims to locate employees’ well-being at the centre of the factory and reinforce the contribution of industry to society by using digital and artificial intelligence-based technologies. Human centricity, sustainability, and resilience are promoted over efficiency and productivity: Technology should be used to customize work environments to meet the specific needs of workers, improving their working conditions, safety, well-being, and ultimately, performance. Achieving this ambitious vision will require production systems to adapt to the diverse needs of workers, leveraging complex, autonomous, and intelligent technologies. While these advancements offer significant benefits, they also present challenges: It will be crucial to address and mitigate the emerging risks associated with the close integration of workers and advanced technologies. In this context, this conference track seeks to explore recent advancements in ergonomics, human factors, and safety in human-system interactions within technology-driven production environments. The main topics will include, but are not limited to, the following:Adaptive and intelligent human-robot interaction; Augmented, virtual, and mixed reality for human-centric applications; Physical and cognitive assistance systems; Social inclusion of vulnerable workers; Application of artificial intelligence to safety-critical systems; Monitoring, modeling, virtualization, and simulation of human activities, behavior and intentions; Multimodal HMIs.

EPIEM – 18th EPIEM Conference

CHAIRS

Prof. Bernd Zunk, Technical University of Graz – Austria

Prof. Guido Orzes, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Italy

Prof. Erwin Rauch, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Italy

ABSTRACT
In parallel to ISIEA 2025 conference we are hosting also the 8ᵗʰ EPIEM Conference 2025 with the main topic: “Towards Sustainability in Industrial Engineering and Management”. EPIEM is the association of the European Professors of Industrial Engineering and Management. General chair is Prof. Bernd Zunk from Technical University of Graz in Austria. EPIEM members Prof. Erwin Rauch and Prof. Guido Orzes from the Free University of Bolzano are hosting this event in 2025. Addressing the complex interplay of economic, social, and environmental factors, Industrial Engineering and Management encounters many challenges such as resource optimization, waste reduction, and ethical considerations. Balancing profitability with environmental objectives and social responsibility poses a persistent difficulty. Integrating sustainable practices into traditional industrial processes demands a paradigm shift in both mindset and methodologies. Overcoming these challenges requires innovative approaches, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a commitment to fostering a resilient, sustainable industrial ecosystem. More information can also be found at this link.