Tangible Industry 4.0: A Scenario-Based Approach to Learning for the Future of Production

TLDR

Industry is undergoing a transformation toward full digitalization and intelligentization, driven by concepts such as IoT, Industrial Internet, Cloud‑based Manufacturing and Smart Manufacturing, yet perceived complexity and abstractness hinder rapid adoption of Industry 4.0. To overcome these burdens, we suggest a Scenario‑based Industry 4.0 Learning Factory concept that we are currently planning to implement in Austria's first Industry 4.0 Pilot Factory. The concept is built upon a tentative competency model for Industry 4.0 and the use of scenarios for problem‑oriented learning of future production engineering.

Abstract

Industry is currently undergoing a transformation towards full digitalization and intelligentization of manufacturing processes. Visionary but quite realistic concepts such as the Internet of Things, Industrial Internet, Cloud-based Manufacturing and Smart Manufacturing are drivers of the so called Fourth Industrial Revolution which is commonly referred to as Industry 4.0. Although a common agreement exists on the necessity for technological advancement of production technologies and business models in the sense of Industry 4.0, a major obstacle lies in the perceived complexity and abstractness which partly hinders its quick transformation into industrial practice. To overcome these burdens, we suggest a Scenario-based Industry 4.0 Learning Factory concept that we are currently planning to implement in Austria's first Industry 4.0 Pilot Factory. The concept is built upon a tentative competency model for Industry 4.0 and the use of scenarios for problem-oriented learning of future production engineering.