A Systems Engineering-Oriented Learning Factory for Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 represents the new stage in the organization and control of the industrial value chain; its basis is represented by Cyber-Physical Systems that use intensively automation, bridge the physical and digital world through Industrial IoT, are controlled with distributed intelligence by smart products driving the production steps in closed-loop data models and controls, and operate in business models integrated in the cloud universal manufacturing space. With reference to the manufacturing models of the 4th industrial revolution, the foundational technologies and standards integrated in the reference architectural model Industry 4.0 from the perspective of production, digital, AI and cyber technologies are analysed. The paper describes a model of learning factory for Industry 4.0 based on an industrial real manufacturing cell controlled by a CPS, and on a 42-week didactic program with hands-on training and master course teaching.