The industry 4.0 laboratory is a new, modern workplace for education and research focused on automation, robotics and Industry 4.0 technologies. The laboratory is equipped with an educational production line CP Factory, among other things, which makes it possible to demonstrate modern principles and technologies for production management, logistics and distribution of production sources. Students can deal with the lowest control layer (PLC systems, pneumatics, etc.) and with higher management and production planning using MES or SCADA systems. The laboratory is also equipped with several 6-axes robots Mitsubishi and mobile robots Robotino. Students can solve problems of not only pure robotics (moving, stability, etc.) but also tasks in the field of the artificial intelligence such as orientation of the robot in space or machine vision.
The virtual part of the laboratory is another notable feature. It consists of tools for industrial systems simulation and remote management. The entire production process is designed so that it can be controlled remotely or, conversely, simulated on any computer without the access to the physical equipment.
EDUCATION
Students of technical programs can focus on electronics, mechatronics, pneumatics or robotics systems in the laboratory. The lecturing of programming of PLC, robots and industry communication technologies is situated here and students can work with higher operator systems like SCADA or MES here. Naturally, the equipment of the laboratory is available for solving students’ and research projects.
RESEARCH
In the research area, our laboratory is focused mainly on the philosophy of Asset Administration Shell and its implementation in creating full digital twins. The current challenge is the integration of machine vision algorithms into control systems of industry robots.
Connection to industry
For project cooperation, our laboratory offers modern technological and software equipment for development and testing, especially in the area of industry communication protocols, virtualization and simulation of production technologies and processes or the development of special automation industry machines. Currently, we are developing an automation machine for the assembly of paper boxes for a Czech company INAPA.
Do you use the Asset Administration Shell? What specification do you use (ZVEI, VDMA, VDI/VDE, other)?
ZVEI specification – but we are on the beginning of the implementation this principle into our CP Factory line.
What is the focus of current research and development activities?
Integration third-party application modules (3D printers) into our CP Factory line using proprietary FESTO communication protocol.
What is the focus of future research and development activities?
Implementation AAS principle and real digital twin on our CP Factory line
Using machine vision to control the removal of material from a box by our six-axis robot
What are the technologies and approaches that set your facility apart, or that differentiate you from competition?
Our department combine experts on mechanical and electrical engineering and automation under one row, so we can offer really complex view or solution of target problem.
Which equipment (investment sum >30.000,-- €) is available in your testbed?
CP Factory production line contains among other thins:
- three mobile robots Robotino
- three 6-axes industry robots Mitsubishi
- EMCO Milling station
Which target groups have active access to your infrastructure? (Multiple answers possible)
( ) Startups
( ) SME
( ) Large enterprises
(x) Students/Pupils
(x) Researchers
( ) Makers
( ) Other:
Question category: Courses and workshops
Does your testbed offer workshops or continuing education courses, if so which ones? (Multiple answers possible)
( ) Standardized courses
(x) Individual programs for companies
( ) Individual programs for educational institutions
( ) Publicly accessible continuing education
(x) Other: On demand.
Which of these formats are increasingly being used? (Multiple answers possible)
( ) Standardized courses
( ) Individual programs for companies
( ) Individual programs for educational institutions
( ) Publicly accessible continuing education
(x) Other:
Are there any plans to expand the range of training and further education courses, if so which ones and for which target group?
We want to offer the use of our equipment to SMEs and provide a better connection with technical high schools in our region (because they will be equipped by CP Labs, that are compatible with our Factory system).
To which target group(s) are your training programs available? (Multiple answers possible)
(x) Startups
(x) SME
( ) Large enterprises
(x) Students/Pupils
(x) Researchers
( ) Makers
(x) Self-employed
(x) Pilot & Learning Factories
( ) Other:
Question category: Offers for companies/startups
What opportunities do you offer companies to support them in product development? (Multiple answers possible)
(x) Consulting regarding prototyping and product development
(x) Testing of external developments/products in existing infrastructure of the testbed
( ) Access to production data
( ) Networking with investors
(x) Other:
Please rank the following groups of companies according to the intensity of their cooperation with you (ranking)
( ) Large companies (> 250 employees)
( ) Medium-sized companies (>50 employees)
( ) Small companies (<50 employees)
( ) Startups
( ) Self-employed
Are there one or more specific target groups that increasingly use your offer? (Multiple answers possible)
( ) Startups
( ) SME
( ) Large enterprises
( ) Self-employed
( ) Other:
Are there special offers for small and medium-sized enterprises, if so which ones?
We are open to cooperation with every partner, but the cooperation with SMEs should be more effective.
For which events can companies use your premises? (Multiple answers possible)
(x) Product presentations
( ) Networking events
( ) Corporate events
(x) Other:
( ) None
What dissemination and communication activities are you currently undertaking to address companies?
(x) Events and functions
( ) Partnerships (if yes, which ones)
( ) Media cooperations
(x) Word of Mouth
( ) Other:
Do companies in your region know about your offerings and services?
( ) Most companies are well informed
(x) Some companies are well informed
( ) Few companies are well informed
( ) Most companies are not well informed
What activities are you currently engaged in to motivate companies to work with you?
There are two technical conferences in our college this year, lats year we make an on-line webinar with a representative of the Chamber of commerce aso.
Question category: Cooperations and project work
Do you already cooperate with other similar institutions, if yes with which one or do you plan a cooperation /
collaboration and if yes, with which institution
We plan to cooperate with Compas automatizace – we want to try deploy they MES system on our production line.
Which Industrie 4.0 topics are you most interested in for a possible cooperation with one or more project partners?
Asset Administration Shell
Real Digital Twin
Plug&Produce
Using artificial intelligence in optimalization of the produstion
