Guidelines to develop demonstration models on industry 4.0 for engineering training

Abstract

Industrial digitization is currently a great challenge which involves continuous advances in technologies such as automation, robotics, internet of things, cloud computing, big data, virtual and augmented reality or cybersecurity. Only those companies able to adapt and with qualified workers will be competitive. Therefore, it is necessary to design new environments to train students and workers in these enabling technologies. In this paper, a set of guidelines is proposed to develop a demonstration model on Industry 4.0. Following these guidelines, an existing manufacturing industrial system, based on an electro-pneumatic cell for classifying pieces, is updated to the Industry 4.0 paradigm. The result is an Industry 4.0 demonstration model where enabling technologies are added in an integrated way. In this manner, students do not only train in each technology, but also understand the interactions between them. In the academic year 2020/21, this demonstration model has been used by engineering students in a subject of a master’s degree. Impressions and comments from students about the structure and management of the environment, as well as the influence on their learning process are collected and discussed.