Methodical Approach to the Introduction of Asset Administration Shell in Learning Factories

The Asset Administration Shell (AAS) represents a standardized digital representation of an asset facilitating the seamless combination of physical and digital objects in Industry 4.0. Originally introduced within the RAMI 4.0 framework, the AAS plays a pivotal role in achieving the core objectives of Industry 4.0 by introducing interoperable data exchange across different assets, life cycles, and value chains. Delivering central requirements for the Industry 4.0 vision the importance of AAS for the transition towards smart factories is evident. However, due to its abstract nature, the AAS advantages, and implementation require explanation. Incorporating this technology into educational environments can provide this explanation by allowing students to grasp the importance of interoperability in advanced digital manufacturing settings. However, currently, literature on the utilization of AAS within the infrastructure and learning concepts of learning factories is missing. To address this challenge and enable learning factories to effectively teach the principles of AAS, this paper describes an approach for introducing the AAS into learning factory environments. This approach entails the technical introduction of digital asset representations into the process flow of existing assemblies as well as a workshop illustrating the importance of the interoperability provided by the AAS in Industry 4.0 factories. This paper serves as a foundational guide for introducing AAS into learning factories by underscoring the vital role of AAS in the education of future industry professionals and the realization of smart factories in the era of Industry 4.0.