The Industrial Engineering Research Group focuses on the development and application of advanced approaches to managing manufacturing, logistics, and service systems in accordance with the concepts of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0. The group’s expertise includes multi-criteria decision-making, Lean, Green and Digital Management, process modelling and simulation, digital twins, IoT and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, and Manufacturing Execution System (MES) development. The group actively develops a Learning Factory and smart manufacturing demonstration laboratories, conducts research on quality management and complex assembly systems, and participates in international research and educational initiatives.

• Research and implementation of modern organisational principles based on Lean, Green and Digital Management through projects and industrial case studies.
• Development of scalable Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) for communication with and data acquisition from manufacturing, assembly, and service workstations.
• Development and implementation of Industry 4.0/5.0 technologies in industrial environments and laboratory settings.
• Development of Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication using the MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) protocol.
• Application of multi-criteria decision-making methods to improve engineering design, manufacturing, logistics, and service systems and processes.
• Development of the FESB Learning Factory, inspired by laboratories and institutions within the International Association of Learning Factories (IALF) and adapted to Croatian industrial needs.
• Management of assembly systems using proprietary control algorithms based on assembly system complexity indicators.
• Modelling and simulation of real assembly processes through digital twins using robots, sensors, actuators, IoT platforms, and Siemens Tecnomatix Plant Simulation software.
• Development of decision-support procedures for Mixed-Model Assembly Line (MMAL) balancing through the integration of assembly complexity indicators.
• Quality management in Industry 4.0/5.0.
• Design and development of unique complex electro-mechanical assemblies and mechanisms for material handling and transport applications.

Laboratories

• Industrial Engineering Laboratory
• Laboratory for Dimensional, Form and Position Measurement

Equipment

• Server with eight workstation PCs
• Plotter
• 80 Siemens PLM software licences (NX CAD, Tecnomatix, Teamcenter)
• Two 3D printers
• 3D scanner
• 3D television with 3D glasses
• Pick-by-Light warehouse support system
• FESTO Pick & Place assembly station
• Six assembly workstations for gearbox assembly with supermarket storage systems
• Conveyor belt for gearbox assembly line
• Four reconfigurable assembly workstations for different products
• RFID- and Raspberry Pi-based assembly monitoring and control system with LCD displays
• FRANKA collaborative robot
• Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) with automated load unloading
• Five VisTable software licences
• Machine tools for machining small workpieces (cutting, drilling, turning, and milling)
• MarForm MMQ 200/T20W instrument for measuring form, orientation, position, and runout deviations
• Various measuring instruments
• Servo-electric drive development workstation
• Arduino-based simulation workstation

• An Excellence-Based Curriculum for the Improvement of LEAN & Green Management Skills in SMEs (EXCURS), 2022–2025, International, Erasmus+, Project Coordinator: Begona Benito
• Development of an Integrative Procedure for the Management of Production and Service Improvement Processes (DEPROCIM), 2017–2019, International, Unity through Knowledge Fund (UKF), Project Leader: Assistant Professor Nikola Gjeldum, PhD
• Logistics Personal Excellence by Continuous Self-Assessment (LOPEC), 2012–2014, International, EU Leonardo da Vinci Programme, Project Leader: Professor Vera Hummel, PhD
• Implementation projects and follow-up collaboration with a total of nine industrial companies that served as pilot partners in the EXCURS, DEPROCIM, and LOPEC projects.
• Collaborative research and technology transfer projects with more than ten industrial partners.

• Scientific and professional collaboration with universities, faculties, and members of the International Association of Learning Factories (IALF) in the development of Learning Factory concepts and the preparation of EU-funded research projects.
• Industrial collaboration in manufacturing and service process improvement, Lean & Green Management, implementation of Industry 4.0/5.0 manufacturing paradigms, and Manufacturing Execution System (MES) development.