December 2024

On Tuesday, 10 December 2024, the DiTwin project hosted a multiplier event at the stunning Museum of Engineering and Technology in Kraków. The event was attended by 23 vocational school teachers, representatives of foundations, NGOs, specialist vocational education institutions, and 49 vocational school students. The meeting’s agenda included a presentation by second-year journalism students from UKEN, who introduced the concept of Digital Twin technology. Dr. hab. Krzysztof Gurba, a professor at UKEN, also delivered a presentation outlining the DiTwin project’s concept, assumptions, expected outcomes, and current progress. At the conclusion of the event, participants had the opportunity to network and engage with project contributors. The first presentation, focused on explaining what Digital Twin technology is, was delivered by second-year journalism students from UKEN: Kinga Tokarczyk and Mikołaj Kawa. During their talk, they defined a Digital Twin as “a virtual copy of a real object, system, or process.” The students further elaborated on the applications of Digital Twin technology in various fields: They also highlighted the benefits of Digital Twin technology, which include: However, they also acknowledged the challenges associated with its implementation: Dr. hab. Krzysztof Gurba, Prof. UKEN, delivered the second presentation, focusing on the DiTwin project’s relevance to vocational education. He explained how Digital Twin technology can revolutionize education. Prof. Gurba emphasized that the project aims to prepare young people for the challenges of Industry 4.0 and 5.0 by leveraging modern technologies as educational tools. He highlighted the international collaboration behind the project, which includes partners such as Learnable (Italy), Digital Smart (Italy), Innovation Frontiers (Greece), Training Vision (Ireland), Malaga TechPark (Spain), Universidad de Malaga (Spain), and the University of the National Education Commission in Kraków (Poland). The project’s outputs include: Prof. Gurba explained that the project focuses on three key areas: 3D printing, robotics, and process automation. The platform developed as part of the project will offer: To conclude, Prof. Gurba announced upcoming pilot tests and a demonstration event for the system. He invited teachers, institutional partners, foundations, and training organizations to collaborate in developing the teacher handbook. He also announced a focus study scheduled for January 2025.

The second transnational meeting of the DiTwin project was held on November 14–15, 2024, in Krakow. During the event, project partners reviewed progress, discussed achievements, and laid the groundwork for future advancements in technical training powered by Digital Twins.  Progress Achieved Significant milestones have been reached, including:  1. Competence Framework: Finalized, outlining key roles and skills required for Industry 4.0.  2. Specialized Training Modules: Developed for three critical professional profiles:     – Additive Manufacturing Technician     – Robot Machines Technician     – Automation Technician for Industry 4.0  The meeting included practical demonstrations showcasing the use of Digital Twins to simulate industrial machinery and integrate them with real-world devices.  The DiTwin Modules The primary goal of the DiTwin modules is to equip students with the skills necessary to thrive in Industry 4.0 using Digital Twins, digital replicas of physical systems connected to educational laboratories. This innovative approach provides an immersive and hands-on learning experience.  Target Professional Profiles The training pathways are tailored to meet the demands of three key roles:  – Additive Manufacturing Technician: Specializing in 3D printing technologies and additive design.  – Automation Technician: Focused on industrial automation and machine programming.  – Robot Machines Technician: Proficient in robotics programming and maintenance.  Key Features of the DiTwin Approach – Simulation-Based Training: Allowing students to practice safely in virtual environments.  – Digital-Physical Integration: Connecting virtual and real machines to provide practical, hands-on training.  This educational approach creates a synergy between theory and practice, preparing future technicians to meet the challenges of an increasingly digitalized and interconnected industrial world.