Requirements for Academic Use
Research Question
What are the requirements for integrating the Fischertechnik Factory into academic use?
Introduction
The use of the Fischertechnik Factory in an academic setting was one of the two main goals of the internship. The vision set by the Fontys University of Applied Sciences was to enable a group of students to work with the Fischertechnik Factory simultaneously. This would allow for a more hands-on approach to learning about Industry 4.0 concepts and digital manufacturing simulations. However, this proved to be more challenging than initially anticipated.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Industry 4.0 | The fourth industrial revolution characterized by smart manufacturing, automation, and data exchange technologies. |
| Digital Manufacturing | The use of digital technologies to model, simulate, and optimize manufacturing processes. |
| PLC | Programmable Logic Controller; specialized industrial computer designed to control manufacturing processes. |
| Digital Twin | A virtual representation of a physical object or system used for simulation and optimization. |
| Structured Text (ST) | A high-level programming language used for programming PLCs, similar to Pascal. |
| GitLab | A web-based DevOps platform that provides Git repository management and CI/CD capabilities. |
Used Research Methods
Expert Interview
Expert interviews were conducted with Andova, Suzana S. and Frenken-Liskova, Renáta R., both actively involved in the Smart Industry and IoT program at Fontys University of Applied Sciences. These interviews served as the primary method of gathering requirements for academic implementation.
The following key questions were addressed during the interviews:
- How would a project with the Fischertechnik Factory be structured?
- What would be the scope of a project? All stations or only a few?
- How many students would work with the Fischertechnik Factory simultaneously?
- What is the technical skill level of the average student who would work with the Fischertechnik Factory?
- How would project sharing and collaboration between students be managed?
- Would a digital twin be utilized in the academic setting?
User Requirements
Based on the expert interviews, several key user requirements were identified:
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Flexibility in project scope | The solution must accommodate projects ranging from individual stations to the full factory, depending on available time and student skill levels. |
| Support for multiple simultaneous users | Typical project groups consist of 3-5 students, with each student generally working on a different station. |
| Accessibility for various skill levels | The solution must be suitable for students without prior PLC programming experience, especially those in earlier semesters who don't learn Structured Text (ST). |
| Integration with Fontys' GitLab server | All students have access to and familiarity with GitLab, making it the preferred platform for project sharing and collaboration. |
| Code-focused approach | Students typically develop their own code from scratch, as this approach doesn't require hardware modifications to the Fischertechnik Factory. |
| Digital twin (optional) | While beneficial, a digital twin is not a strict requirement for academic implementation. |
Pitch for Validation
Following the interviews, a pitch was presented to share findings and proposed solutions. The purpose was to validate these solutions and gather feedback from stakeholders. The pitch received positive reception, with the proposed solutions deemed appropriate for academic implementation.
Conclusion
Based on the expert interviews and research conducted, several key requirements were identified for integrating the Fischertechnik Factory into academic use. The solution must be flexible enough to accommodate varying project scopes, from individual stations to the full factory. It should support simultaneous use by multiple students (typically 3-5) working on different stations. It needs to be accessible to students with different skill levels, particularly those without prior PLC programming experience. Additionally, the solution should integrate with Fontys' GitLab server to enable collaboration and project sharing among students. While a digital twin would be beneficial, it is not essential for the academic implementation.
Key Takeaways
- The solution must be flexible enough to accommodate varying project scopes, from individual stations to the full factory.
- It should support simultaneous use by multiple students (typically 3-5) working on different stations.
- It needs to be accessible to students with different skill levels, particularly those without prior PLC programming experience.
- Additionally, the solution should integrate with Fontys' GitLab server to enable collaboration and project sharing among students.
- While a digital twin would be beneficial, it is not essential for the academic implementation.