The fischertechnik learning environment is used for learning and understanding industry 4.0 applications in vocational school and training and for use in research, teaching and development at universities, in companies and IT departments. The simulation depicts the ordering process, the production process and the delivery process in digitized and networked process steps.
Factory photoThe Training Factory consists of the factory modules storage and retrieval station, vacuum gripper robot, high-bay warehouse, multi-processing station with oven, a sorting line with colour detection, an environmental sensor and a swivelling camera. After delivery of raw materials, they are stored in the high-bay warehouse and after ordering in the dashboard, the workpieces pass through the respective factory modules and the current status is immediately visible in the dashboard.
The integrated environmental sensor reports values for temperature, humidity, air pressure and air quality. Due to the vertical and horizontal swivel range, the camera can see the entire plant and can therefore be used for web-based remote monitoring.
The individual workpieces are tracked by NFC (Near Field Communication): each workpiece is given a unique identification number (ID). This enables the current status of the workpieces in the machining process to be tracked and made visible..
ControlThe Training Factory 4.0 24V is controlled by a PLC (brand independent, not included in the scope of delivery) and has a ready-made example program (as Structured Text, ST) included in the scope of delivery. The program was created on the basis of a Siemens S7-1500 (for details see on this page under "Downloads").
The newly developed 24V adapter boards as interface to the PLC are pre-assembled in the learning factory and are connected to the PLC via terminals. Among other things, this latest generation of adapter boards allows
- the encoder motors are controlled in speed via PWM
- there are push/pull output stages for phototransistors and buttons
A fischertechnik TXT controller is also installed. This is supplied with power via the adapter board and provides the connection to the fischertechnik cloud. The TXT controller also communicates in MQTT to the IOT gateway (Raspberry Pi), which in turn translates in OPC-UA to the PLC controller. In this way, the 9V-based components such as the environmental sensor, the USB camera, the brightness sensor and the NFC reader can be addressed via the MQTT interface and read out by the PLC. Even more interesting, however, is another function of the IOT Gateway, namely the possibility of an optional connection to a separate cloud. Thus, Training Factory 4.0 offers maximum flexibility for the respective user.
SoftwareThe PLC program for controlling fischertechnik Training Factory 4.0 was created as structured text (ST) based on a Siemens S7-1500 and can be called up in the eLearning portal. It can also be viewed, used and downloaded free of charge at Github.com/fischertechnik.
Of course, the Learning Factory can also be controlled with other PLC models and brands and individual solutions can be programmed and implemented by the user. It may be necessary to make small adjustments to the example program, which can then be implemented independently.
fischertechnik CloudThe connection to the fischertechnik cloud is established via the WLAN router which is integrated in the learning factory. The use of the Chrome or Firefox web browsers is recommended. www.fischertechnik-cloud.com.
The servers of the cloud are located in Germany and ensure that the strict European requirements apply for the storage of data. Personal data is protected in an account with password access, which uses the very secure "OAuth2" industry standard. All data sent to the cloud is encrypted with certificates (https standard).
2 Dashboards, Raspberry Pi and Node-REDTh
