Digital Twin-Based Active Learning for Industrial Process Control and Supervision in Industry 4.0.

Area of Science:

• Engineering Education
• Industry 4.0
• Digital Twin Technology

Background:

• Active learning environments require innovative tools for effective engineering education.
• Digital Twin technology offers a pathway to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
• Optimizing industrial processes, such as cocoa production, is crucial for efficiency and aligns with Industry 4.0 principles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a Digital Twin-based learning tool for engineering education.
• To enable interaction between physical modules and a virtual representation of cocoa production.
• To assess the impact of Digital Twin technology on student learning outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Development of a Digital Twin system using an S7-1200 PLC and WinCC HMI.
• Implementation of IoT for real-time process monitoring and control.
• Experimental design comparing pre-test (conventional) and post-test (Digital Twin) assessments.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in student accuracy and efficiency were observed.
• A 38% reduction in task execution time was achieved using the Digital Twin system.
• The system's immersive and interactive capabilities facilitated understanding of real-world conditions.

Conclusions:

• Digital Twin technology serves as a powerful educational tool for engineering students.
• The developed system enhances learning by simulating real-world industrial scenarios.
• Digital Twins show potential for optimizing industrial processes in sectors like cocoa production.