Digital Miniature Factory 2024: Workshop at Böhler Edelstahl

In the first two weeks of July, the “Digital Miniature Factory” workshop took place in collaboration with Böhler Edelstahl and UAS Technikum Wien, under the direction of the Competence Field Industrial Product Lifecycle Technologies, in cooperation with the Competence Field Digital Manufacturing, Automation & Robotics. The aim of the two-week programme is to familiarize the 21 participating apprentices with mechatronic systems and digitalization.

As part of the project days, the apprentices developed a complete miniature factory from scratch. They went through several phases in which they designed and manufactured the factory and acquired relevant knowledge in various workshops. The topics covered included industrial control systems (PLCs), actuators, sensors, programming, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and 3D printing.

Stations for developing conveyor belts and separating components and boxes

The apprentices first tested their self-developed concept ideas in iterative prototyping cycles and integrated the mechatronic components and partial solutions until the entire factory was finally completed and programmed as a process production. A 3D logic puzzle was used as the product to be handled, which was packaged in a box. The apprentices worked in interdisciplinary teams of three to four people at various stations. There were stations for developing conveyor belts, separating components and boxes. An AI quality station and a collaborative robot were also used to identify and sort out faulty components.

Project manager Nikolaus Angel emphasized the importance of collaboration beyond their own specialist areas: “The apprentices had to work together across their domain boundaries in order to be able to implement the ideas they had developed themselves and solve problems together within an industrial plant.”

The participants celebrated the successful conclusion of the workshop with a presentation of their results in the presence of Managing Director Claus Mittendorfer, Head of Training Richard Vadlja, Mayor Matthäus Bachernegg and many other guests. The event impressively demonstrated how future-oriented learning and practical training can go hand in hand.

© Photos: Fotostudio Peter Wagner / Morgenstern

Further Links:

Böhler Edelstahl GmbH

Department Industrial Engineering – UAS Technikum Wien

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