“Zukunftsfabrik Bodensee” - A Production Network Combined of Two Different Learning Factories

The “Lernfabrik Fallenbrunnen” (LFF) is a privately funded Learning Factory in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The main research areas are collaborative robotics, machine vision, extended reality, and connectivity in production. Part of the learning factory is the manufacturing process of a demonstrator product, distributed to various places, including manual workstations with digital guidance, stationary and mobile robots, automated electric testing, and an automated rack storage system. Recently, DHBW Ravensburg established its own Learning Factory (LFDHBW) at campus Friedrichshafen near the Lernfabrik Fallenbrunnen. From the beginning, the intention has been to build a factory out of student projects for education and research purposes. This paper will focus on the combination and connection, physical and logical, of both learning factories. Both factories form an innovative production network called “Zukuftsfabrik Bodensee” (ZFB). The concept is designed so that the network works as a supplement. Still, every factory can operate independently if intended and can be developed by their organization on a different level, speed, and purpose. The ZFB replicates a value chain with networked, adaptive, and self-learning systems. The production network manufactures a product in many variants and returns in the circular economy. The network will provide the basis for targeted, practice-oriented research and teaching in digital twins, AI in production, human-machine interaction, production platforms, and the circular economy. The research projects of the AI and production experts are always oriented to the current needs of the industry by involving regional stakeholders.