Design and application of virtual simulation teaching platform for intelligent manufacturing

Area of Science:

• Intelligent Manufacturing Education
• Virtual Simulation Technology
• Engineering Pedagogy

Background:

• Traditional intelligent manufacturing practical teaching faces challenges: high equipment investment, material loss, teaching risks, and difficulties with internships, observation, and result reproduction.
• Existing limitations hinder effective hands-on learning for students in electrical automation, mechatronics, and industrial robotics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and establish a virtual simulation teaching platform for intelligent manufacturing majors.
• To address the practical teaching challenges of "three highs and three difficulties" (high investment, high loss, high risk; difficult internship, observation, reproduction).
• To evaluate the effectiveness of the virtual simulation platform in enhancing student learning outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Development of a virtual simulation platform integrating cloud computing, edge computing, and terminal equipment synergy.
• Inclusion of six virtual simulation modules: electrician electronics and PLC control, typical production lines, collaborative robotics, digital twin, industrial robot disassembly, and flexible production lines.
• Implementation of a teaching practice activity with 246 students across three majors, followed by data analysis of academic performance, competition participation, awards, and subjective feedback over one academic year.

Main Results:

• Students using the virtual simulation platform showed significant improvements: over 13% in academic performance, 37% in competition/innovation activity participation, 36% in awards, 27% in professional qualification certificates, and 22% in overall knowledge system improvement.
• The platform effectively alleviates practical training equipment shortages.
• Student feedback indicates increased learning interest and broader knowledge acquisition.

Conclusions:

• The developed virtual simulation teaching platform demonstrates clear superiority in overcoming the limitations of traditional practical teaching in intelligent manufacturing.
• The platform is a viable solution for enhancing student engagement, practical skills, and overall learning outcomes in intelligent manufacturing education.
• The findings support the adoption of virtual simulation technologies to modernize and improve engineering practical training.