Learning in Context with Horizontally & Vertically Integrated Curriculum in a Smart Learning Factory

In this work we present the development of a Smart Learning Factory (SLF) at Purdue University for preparing students with the skills, capabilities, and technological experiences necessary to excel in an Industry 4.0 environment. Functionally, the SLF is a replica of an actual cyber-physical production factory designed to intentionally foster collaboration between courses from multiple disciplinary areas, particularly mechanical, electrical, mechatronics, and robotics. Our objective is to reduce course silos by deliberately fusing the interconnection between courses by using SLF as the common unifying platform. Activities in design, manufacturing processes, production, production management, automation, energy, information, and communications, teamwork and collaboration are integrated using a vertical and horizontal integration framework. Unifying project activities were designed and introduced into these courses using this framework. As a result, 22 courses were integrated and a total of 26 vertical and horizontal integrated projects developed. This integration also facilitated the development of an energy credential using the SLF. Students progressing from freshman through senior year in college will better understand the interconnection of content between different courses, apply their learning to a manufacturing environment, gain a holistic perspective of the interdependent structures of the cyber-physical system, the connected enterprise, and the manufacturing ecosystem.