{"id":2984,"date":"2020-02-07T15:45:16","date_gmt":"2020-02-07T20:45:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/academic\/?p=2984"},"modified":"2026-03-26T08:14:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T12:14:37","slug":"darmstadt-university-of-applied-sciences-uses-siemens-software-for-industry-4-0","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/academic\/darmstadt-university-of-applied-sciences-uses-siemens-software-for-industry-4-0\/","title":{"rendered":"Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences uses Siemens software for Industry 4.0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>By: <strong>Hannah\nStraub<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the world of technology, software drives innovation in constructing an engine, creating a heart catheter, or in Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences\u2019 case, designing and operating a smart learning factory. Students learning about automation and control technology at Darmstadt use Siemens Digital Industries Software\u00a0products to \u201crun an assembly plant that reproduces the automation processes in a real factory,\u201d says Dr. -Ing Stephan Simons, professor of automation and control technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.h-da.de\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences<\/a> is one of the largest universities of applied sciences in Germany with approximately 16,500 students, 320 professors, and over 70 degree programs. The university\u2019s range of programs and research capacities extends from engineering sciences, mathematics, information science and computer science to management, social sciences, and social work, as well as architecture, media and design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Taking us through his process, Dr. -Ing Stephan Simons\nsays, \u201cTecnomatix and Mechatronics Concept Designer allow us to teach students\nto select the right software for a task.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2020\/02\/darmstadt-1.jpg\" alt=\"https:\/\/www.plm.automation.siemens.com\/media\/global\/en\/darmstadt-univ-applied-sciences-76142-featured%287%29-640x360_tcm27-58612.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-2988\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2020\/02\/darmstadt-1.jpg 640w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2020\/02\/darmstadt-1-600x338.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2020\/02\/darmstadt-2.jpg\" alt=\"https:\/\/www.plm.automation.siemens.com\/media\/global\/en\/darmstadt-univ-applied-sciences-76142-featured%286%29-640x360_tcm27-58611.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-2989\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2020\/02\/darmstadt-2.jpg 640w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2020\/02\/darmstadt-2-600x338.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption> The smart factory assembles several varieties of electromagnetic relays in one-off quantities in order to fulfill orders in a cloud-based ERP system. Both components and finished products are transported through the line using RFID chips. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis small smart factory is an Industry 4.0\ndemonstrator and a research and tutorial platform where interdisciplinary teams\nof students learn how to design, commission, operate and maintain future\nproduction facilities utilizing the Internet of Things,\u201d he adds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students from various disciplines leverage the digital\nfactory, including electrical and mechanical engineering with image processing\nand opto-technologies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2020\/02\/darmstadt-3.jpg\" alt=\"https:\/\/www.plm.automation.siemens.com\/media\/global\/en\/darmstadt-univ-applied-sciences-76142-featured%285%29-640x360_tcm27-58610.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-2990\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2020\/02\/darmstadt-3.jpg 640w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2020\/02\/darmstadt-3-600x338.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption> The fully automated assembly line features a high storage rack and material transport using shuttles and a 6-axis robot for assembly. The stations are controlled by PLCs that take care of functional safety that communicate via OPC UA. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The main goals of the university\u2019s program are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Teaching industrial automation and control as it will be in the future<\/li><li>Preparing students for future challenges in systems development<\/li><li>Using various software tools to build comprehensive solutions<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2020\/02\/darmstadt-4.jpg\" alt=\"https:\/\/www.plm.automation.siemens.com\/media\/global\/en\/darmstadt-univ-applied-sciences-76142-featured%284%29-640x360_tcm27-58608.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-2991\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2020\/02\/darmstadt-4.jpg 640w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2020\/02\/darmstadt-4-600x338.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption> Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences students used Tecnomatix Process Simulate to create a digital twin of the smart factory for virtual commissioning. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Professor Simons wanted to use a digital twin from the\nstart, which in turn led him to Tecnomatix, a comprehensive portfolio of\ndigital manufacturing solutions that help digitalize manufacturing. The smart\nassembly line teaches students how to create comprehensive systems, and to\nfamiliarize themselves with knowledge outside their own specialization focus.\nIt combined the virtual and real world for students and taught them how to\nhandle constant change in automation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a result, students learn how to design, commission,\noperate and maintain future production facilities. Their education expands\ntheir view with future oriented, comprehensive systems design. They develop\nmethods for easy implementation in future industrial production facilities\nbased on the Internet of Things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2020\/02\/darmstadt-5.jpg\" alt=\"https:\/\/www.plm.automation.siemens.com\/media\/global\/en\/darmstadt-univ-applied-sciences-76142-featured%283%29-640x360_tcm27-58609.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-2992\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2020\/02\/darmstadt-5.jpg 640w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2020\/02\/darmstadt-5-600x338.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption> For final inspection, the relays pass automated optical and electrical tests as well as weighing. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>To read the full story, click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plm.automation.siemens.com\/global\/en\/our-story\/customers\/darmstadt-university-of-applied-sciences\/58617\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plm.automation.siemens.com\/global\/en\/our-story\/customers\/#\/?industryKeywords=education\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">academic case studies<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By: Hannah Straub In the world of technology, software drives innovation in constructing an engine, creating a heart catheter, or&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3112,"featured_media":2992,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spanish_translation":"","french_translation":"","german_translation":"","italian_translation":"","polish_translation":"","japanese_translation":"","chinese_translation":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[165],"industry":[],"product":[393],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-2984","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-academic","product-tecnomatix"],"featured_image_url":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2020\/02\/darmstadt-5.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/academic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2984","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/academic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/academic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/academic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3112"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/academic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2984"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/academic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2984\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2993,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/academic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2984\/revisions\/2993"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/academic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2992"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/academic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2984"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/academic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2984"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/academic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2984"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/academic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=2984"},{"taxonomy":"product","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/academic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product?post=2984"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/academic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=2984"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}