The digitally driven change in industrial production requires greater networking and more intelligent information at all production levels. With the fischertechnik Learning Factory 4.0, these digitalization activities can be simulated, learned and applied on a small scale before they are implemented on a large scale. A highly flexible, modular, cost-effective and robust training and simulation model that can be used extremely sensibly.
The fischertechnik learning environment is used for learning and understanding Industry 4.0 applications in vocational schools and training as well as 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 digitalized and networked process steps.
Factory environment
This consists of the factory modules: storage and retrieval station, vacuum suction gripper, high-bay warehouse, multi-processing station with kiln, a sorting line with color recognition, an environmental sensor and a swiveling camera. After the order has been placed 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. The camera sees the entire system through the vertical and horizontal swivel range and can therefore be used for web-based remote monitoring.
The individual workpieces are tracked using NFC (Near Field Communication): Each workpiece receives a unique identification number (ID). This enables tracking and visibility of the current status of the workpieces in the machining process.
Steering
The Learning Factory 4.0 is controlled by the fischertechnik TXT 4.0 controller on a 9V basis, six of which are installed. These are connected within the factory according to the master-slave principle and communicate via an internal bus system. The complete performance data of the TXT 4.0 Controller can be viewed on the TXT 4.0 Controller, here are the most important features:
- Processor: Arm® dual Cortex®-A7 650 MHz + Cortex®-M4
- Storage capacity: 512MB DDR3 RAM, 4GB eMMC
- Storage expansion: Micro SD card slot
- Colored touch display: 2.4", 320x240 pixels, capacitive (allows swipe gestures)
- flat design, dimensions: 90x90x17.5mm
- 8 universal inputs: digital/analog 0-9VDC, analog 0-5 kΩ
- 4 fast counting inputs: digital, frequency up to 1kHz
- 4 motor outputs 9V/250mA (max. 1 A): speed infinitely adjustable, short-circuit proof, alternatively 8 individual outputs e.g. B. for LEDs
- 3 servo outputs 5V (max. 2A), short-circuit proof
- Combined Bluetooth / WLAN radio module: Bluetooth 5.0 (BR, LE & EDR), WLAN dual band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz 802.11 a/b/g/n
- USB 2.0 Client: Mini USB socket for connecting to the PC
- USB host interface: USB-A socket, e.g. for fischertechnik USB camera or USB sticks
- Camera interface: via USB host, Linux camera driver integrated into the operating system
- 2x 6-pin pin strip: for expanding the inputs and outputs (up to 9 TXT 4.0 controllers can be connected) as well as I²C interface
- Integrated speaker for playing sounds (WAV files
- Linux based open source operating system, firmware update via cloud, USB stick or micro SD card
- Programming with ROBO Pro Coding (graphical and Python), C/C++ compiler (not included)
- further programming options via REST interface. Available output voltages 9V, 5V and 3.3V. Power supply: 9V DC socket 3.45 mm, or fischertechnik sockets 2.5 mm (for battery pack). Incl. USB connection cable and 6-pin extension cable.
Software: ROBO Pro Coding / Python programming interface
The software application is written in ROBO Pro Coding or Python and is loaded onto the controller ready to start. The current versions of the corresponding programs can be imported directly into the ROBO Pro Coding platform via fischertechnik GitLab.
The ROBO Pro Coding / Python programs supplied can be modified and you can also write your own ROBO Pro Coding / Python programs for the learning factory.
Furthermore, Node-RED is available on the TXT 4.0 controller, a local dashboard with which the factory can be controlled as an alternative to the fischertechnik cloud. This implementation can also be modified. The communication between Node-RED and the program takes place using MQTT. MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) is an open messaging protocol that enables the transfer of data in the form of messages between devices.
fischertechnik Cloud
The connection to the fischertechnik cloud is established via WLAN via the TXT 4.0 controller, which is set as master. We recommend using the web browsers Chrome or Firefox. The cloud can be used via personal access, which is created once (www.fischertechnik-cloud.com). The cloud servers are located in Germany and ensure that the strict European requirements apply to the storage of data. Personal information is protected in an account with password access that uses the highly secure “OAuth2” industry standard. All data sent to the cloud is encrypted with certificates (https standard, green lock in the web browser).
Dashboard
The dashboard can be accessed and operated via mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones as well as on laptops and PCs. It enables representation from three different perspectives:
- Customer perspective
- Supplier perspective
- Production perspective
The customer view shows a web shop interface with a shopping cart where you can order a workpiece and track the current status of the order in the shopping cart. This history is displayed on the interface for the customer so that they are informed about the status of their order.
The process for ordering raw materials is displayed and visualized in the supplier view.
In the production view, the factory status, the production process, the inventory, the NFC/RFID reader and the sensor values can be queried.
In addition, the camera that monitors the production line can also be controlled here. All of these functions are controlled within a window and switched via the menu.
In the factory status , the status of the respective module is visualized using a traffic light display. If a disruption occurs in production, this is acknowledged via a button after the cause has been resolved and production continues. In the production process view , the individual production steps are shown in a visually simplified manner using connected nodes. The active node (=production module) lights up green or red when the respective process step is being processed live or there is an error that is waiting to be corrected.
The production view inventory visualizes the current inventory of workpieces including minimum and maximum inventory. An order point procedure is stored. This production view is for visualization purposes only. The production view of the NFC/RFID reader displays the workpiece data and can be used to read or delete workpieces manually. The raw data from the NFC tags can be read from mobile devices with an NFC reader using a standard NFC app. Each workpiece has its own, unique ID and displays the following data: status, color and time stamp from delivery to shipping. The camera is also controlled via the production view and the values read from the environmental sensor can also be viewed here.
