The “Digital Twin on Smart Manufacturing” project continues to gain momentum as partners gathered for the third transnational project meeting in Gothenburg, Sweden. The meeting was a dynamic two-day event marked by strategic discussions, planning, and inspiring study visits to global industrial leaders.
Training Course Development: Full Speed Ahead
The development of the comprehensive Digital Twin training course is progressing swiftly:
- TM1 – Introduction: The PLC programming module has been completed, with IoT and programming (Python and C#) parts actively under development.
- TM2 – Digital Twins: All content and presentations are finalized, with exercises under review and accompanying videos in production.
- TM3 – Virtual Commissioning: Basics are completed, while the advanced sections and practical exercises are nearing finalization.
- TM4 – Virtual Maintenance: Content development is complete, and hands-on exercises are being enhanced for deeper learning.
- TM5 – Business Intelligence: A first draft is ready and under review; exercises and videos are also in progress.
- TM6 – Virtual Environment: Finalization is expected by July 2025.
- TM7 – Industrial Cybersecurity: Course material is prepared and undergoing refinement.
- TM8 – Other Technologies: Modules on Robotics, Reverse Engineering, and Cloud Computing are well advanced.
- TM9 – Green Transition: Content focused on sustainability will be finalized after TM6.
- TM10 – Entrepreneurship and Incubator Setting: Draft is completed, with supporting materials under review.
Upon completion and review of all modules, the training platform will open to the public free of charge, expected by July 2025.
Digital Learning Tools: New Horizons
The project is also making strides in enhancing the digital learning experience:
- A Branded Moodle App is under development, providing learners with a seamless and customized educational journey.
- A Microcredential platform (MICOO) is being established to award digital badges and recognized credentials to successful learners.
Gamified self-evaluation tools and virtual labs are also underway, offering real-time, remote learning environments accessible even on older hardware.
Piloting and Skills Competitions
A major milestone will be the pilot phase, aiming to engage 50 teachers and 300 students across partner countries. In September 2025, skills competitions will take place in Italy, Spain, Sweden, and Bulgaria, offering participants the opportunity to showcase their talents and win prizes.
Study Visits and Broader Impact
During the Gothenburg meeting, partners visited leading industrial players, Ericsson and Volvo, gaining firsthand insights into real-world applications of Digital Twin technology.
Moreover, the project was proudly presented during a study visit organized by Innotecs in The Hague, Netherlands, attracting strong interest from educators and stakeholders across Europe.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead:
- Mobile App and Digital Twin Labs to be launched by August 2025.
- Final Training Materials and Microcredential Platform ready by September 2025.
- Next project meetings are scheduled for September 2025 (Ruse, Bulgaria), January 2026 (San Sebastián, Spain), and June 2026 (Heraklion, Greece).
The Digital Twin project continues to lay the foundations for a new era in smart manufacturing education. Stay tuned for more updates and insights!
