Training concept for and with digitalization in learning factories: An energy efficiency training case

Industry 4.0 is regarded as the fourth industrial revolution, posing huge challenges to industry in terms of technology implementation as well as human resources development. Adequate education and training is required in order to prepare employees for changes in their working environment related to quickly advancing digitalization. In particular, theoretical knowledge and practical skills regarding data acquisition, processing, visualization and interpretation are needed to exploit the full potential of digitalization. Learning factories offer a suitable environment to combine theoretical learning and practical application and are therefore predestined to impart Industry 4.0 knowledge and skills. Beyond this background, in this paper a training concept for industrial employees in a learning factory environment is described. The concept focuses on the topics energy transparency and efficiency in manufacturing, which is strongly enhanced by digitalization due to the need to combine sensor data, machine data and production planning and execution. The training covers relevant elements on the way from manual to highly automated solutions. Hence, it fosters both, the understanding of the basic methods as well as their implementation in the context of Industry 4.0. An overview of energy efficiency and digitalization trainings in learning factories is stated. Following, the specific training concept and the environment is described thereafter the concept is generalized. As the concept has been already implemented in practice, first experiences are used to show the effectiveness of this approach.