As part of the Digital Twin on Smart Manufacturing initiative, a ground-breaking course has been designed to empower engineers, technicians, and students with the skills needed to thrive in the rapidly evolving world of Industry 4.0. This course offers an in-depth exploration of virtual commissioning and advanced automation technologies, paving the way for smarter, more efficient, and sustainable manufacturing systems. Structured into three distinct parts, the training module provides participants with a comprehensive learning experience, starting from fundamental concepts to advanced applications.
Part 1: 2D Virtual Commissioning with Siemens SIMIT
The journey begins with 2D virtual commissioning, a cornerstone of modern manufacturing. Using Siemens SIMIT, participants will simulate and test automation systems in a controlled virtual environment before deploying them to the physical world. This step is crucial to identify potential issues promptly, reducing downtime and ensuring smooth integration.
Siemens SIMIT allows users to create realistic simulations of plant behaviour, enabling the virtual testing of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and other control systems. Participants will learn to:
- Set up and configure virtual environments for automation projects.
- Simulate sensor and actuator behaviour in real-time.
- Test control logic and identify potential errors.
By the end of this module, participants will understand how virtual commissioning can save time and costs while enhancing system reliability. This foundational knowledge will serve as the bedrock for the more complex simulations covered in the subsequent parts.
Part 2: 3D Virtual Commissioning with Siemens NX
Building on the principles of 2D simulations, the second part of the course dives into 3D virtual commissioning using Siemens NX. This advanced tool allows users to create detailed digital twins of manufacturing systems, bridging the gap between design and production.
Participants will gain hands-on experience in:
- Designing 3D models of machines and production lines.
- Integrating 3D models with control systems to create dynamic, interactive simulations.
- Conducting kinematic and dynamic analyses to ensure optimal machine performance.
This module highlights the transformative potential of 3D virtual commissioning, showcasing how it can predict and mitigate risks, optimize workflows, and streamline production processes. By the end of this segment, participants will be equipped to tackle complex manufacturing challenges with cutting-edge tools.
Part 3: Advanced Automation Functions
The final part of the course focuses on advanced automation functions that elevate manufacturing systems to new levels of precision and efficiency. This segment delves into topics such as safety, motion control, and proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control, equipping participants with the expertise to handle sophisticated automation tasks.
Key learning outcomes include:
- Implementing and validating safety systems to ensure compliance with international standards.
- Designing and optimizing motion control systems for high-performance applications.
- Fine-tuning PID controllers to achieve precise process control.
Participants will also explore how these advanced features integrate seamlessly with the digital twin framework, enabling more intelligent and adaptive manufacturing systems.
A Holistic Approach to Smart Manufacturing
This training module is more than just a technical training program—it’s a comprehensive guide to understanding and implementing digital twin technologies in smart manufacturing. By covering the entire spectrum, from virtual commissioning to advanced automation functions, it prepares participants to lead the way in modernizing manufacturing processes. The Digital Twin on Smart Manufacturing initiative emphasises the importance of bridging theoretical knowledge with practical applications. Through this training module, participants will not only gain valuable technical skills but also develop a deeper understanding of how digital twins can transform the manufacturing landscape.
