Teaching Industrie 4.0 technologies in a learning factory through problem-based learning: case study of a semi-automated robotic cell design

Abstract

The use and development of digital factories are transforming manufacturing, and as a result, companies are in need of employees with fundamentally different qualifications and skills to implement and operate innovative technologies. In the face of the digital age, universities are confronted with the challenge of identifying the future job profiles and their competence requirements, and thus adapt and adjust their educational course contents to accommodate it. This paper describes the use of a learning factory to develop hard technological skills related to Industrie 4.0, as well as soft skills related to creativity, systems thinking and problem solving. It does this by describing a problem-based learning approach in which the student had to design and implement an automated production cell that integrates three key technologies within Industrie 4.0: robots, additive manufacturing, as well as industrial internet of things.