*Model Factory@SIMTech is a separate initiative from the recently announced Innovation Factory.
The Model Factory@SIMTech features an actual production environment that allows for experiential experimentation and learning of digitalisation technologies for Industry 4.0. Model Factory@SIMTech is part of the Manufacturing Control TowerTM (MCTTM) program, which the focus will be on digitalisation technologies.
From a research viewpoint, the environment provides an ideal platform for the development of critical technologies such as Cyber-Physical Production Systems (CPPS) and flexible automation across the three layers in a manufacturing environment, namely Shopfloor, Enterprise and Supply Chain. This will provide the essential platform for understanding the Sense & Response manufacturing paradigm, and the means to prototype new technologies, as a continuous learning journey for MCTTM.
From an industry viewpoint, it provides a platform for companies to learn, experiment and most importantly, co-create new technologies for the next-generation factories. The next-generation manufacturing technologies will require skill sets that are multi-disciplinary in nature and require continuous learning. The Model Factory@SIMTech will be able to provide these critical learning and practice opportunities through SIMTech’s proven Learn-Practise-Implement (LPI) model before actual implementation on-site.