Work Cell Simulator and Scenarios for Teaching Smart Manufacturing Through Operations Applications

Project Lead: Tulip Interfaces
Member % Cost Share: 50%
CESMII % Cost Share: 50%
Duration: 8 Months
Problem Statement
Workers in manufacturing are increasingly expected to have competency with basic Smart Manufacturing concepts, frameworks, and technologies. A lack of alignment between manufacturers, educational institutions, and technology vendors, however, has made it difficult to prepare students with the skills they need to be successful.
Project Goal
Produce a set of hands-on, role-based educational resources that introduce students to Smart Manufacturing concepts, (IoT, no code app development, edge devices, and real-time data) while practicing on scenarios and problems they’ll encounter on the job.
Technical Approach
Develop a model work cell simulator made of operations applications, as well as scenario-based app building exercises, to train students in Smart Manufacturing using SM tools and concepts.
Key Tasks & Milestones
- Design simulator content with CESMII Education Partners
- Develop and build workcell simulator module
- Develop and build app building scenario exercises
- Package content for distribution via Tulip instances and Tulip Library
- Deliver content

Potential Impact
Curricula that teach Smart Manufacturing have the potential to increase the number of students placed in good manufacturing jobs, and help a skills gap that contributes to manufacturing’s ongoing labor shortage. Impacts include time-to-job for trained students, longer tenure, better career mobility, and ultimately a more productive, technological empowered workforce.
Benefits
A cutting-edge Smart Manufacturing curriculum ready for distribution to all education partners and innovation hubs; full access to the Tulip Platform for CESMII and all participating education partners; ability to adapt or reconfigure all delivered content for future educational initiatives.