In Baden-Württemberg, the topic of Industry 4.0 was already developed at school in 2015, so the vocational school for technology decided to approach the implementation of the topic first scientifically and then didactically. The idea was that all students of the vocational college should be familiarized with the topic. For this reason, every student from the industrial metal and electrical professions should be given the opportunity to gain experience in the Industrie 4.0 laboratory during their training.
The basic idea that Industrie 4.0 fully maps the life cycle of a product from the initial product idea to recycling should be implemented in a lab if possible. All the processes and technologies involved in this cycle, from 3D drawing creation to manufacturing processes and key networking technologies, should be found in the new lab.
In the course of re-equipping the laboratory, the Smart Factory initially consisted of two 6-person carrées (CP Lab stations), a mobile robot and a robot assembly station (CP Factory). The two carrées and the robot station could work both autonomously and in combination with each other. The connecting element was the mobile AGV (Robotino). This made it possible to create different learning situations in small groups.
Another important aspect for lesson design is the simulation with the digital learning twin (CIROS). In the simulation, students can safely test out tasks and then apply them to the real plant. An MES system is also integrated into the Smart Factory. The system can be used in conjunction with individual stations, with the carrels, as well as in conjunction with the simulation. The didactic concept also includes homeuse software packages.
In the course of the expansion in 2022, the two production lines of the Smart Factory were merged and applications were exchanged. Now the topics of measuring, turning and heating are also represented in the large plant. The Robotino now brings the half-shells to the robotic assembly cell and back to the Carrée for machining.
In addition, another laboratory has been created, which serves as a basic laboratory for PLC technology. Here, the students mainly train PLC programming at the manual output station. The existing carrée was also rebuilt in the basic laboratory so that smaller production processes can now also be simulated here.
Customer benefits:
"Festo Didactic provided us with very intensive support throughout the entire planning and implementation phase and gave us answers and solutions to our questions and problems. Over the years, the special relationship with sales and support has confirmed our decision to have the topic of Industry 4.0 planned and implemented from a single source. What good is the best technology at a school if the plant is not operational because of a problem with a sensor? - Thanks to Festo, we've always had access to a first-class support system and haven't had to cancel our classes because of an inoperable lab."