An Implementation Approach for an Academic Learning Factory for the Metal Forming Industry with Special Focus on Digital Twins and Finite Element Analysis

Abstract The requirements for the planning, implementation and operation of an academic learning factory vary depending on the specific area of the respective institution. This paper provides an approach for the planning and implementation of such a factory, specifically tailored to the requirements of the metal forming industry. This learning factory will then be operated at the Chair of Metalforming at the Montanuniversitat Leoben (MUL). The objective is to monitor and control forming units of different technological maturity in a common system. The industrial software used, ibaPDA for data logging and ibaAnalyzer for automated further processing, is widespread in practice and enables students to learn the required skills as close to practice as possible. In addition, Analog to Digital (A/D) converters and machine hour counters will be implemented to illustrate the retrofitting approach in practice. For the planning and implementation of Digital Shadows and Digital Twins, common Finite Element (FE) simulation programs will be used and the possibilities of connectivity between machines, simulation programs and automation software will be demonstrated. The project presented here should thus make an important contribution to the training of future specialists with special consideration of the increasing interdisciplinarity in manufacturing technology.