LCAMP partners recently participated in the 15th Conference on Learning Factories (CLF 2025), held from March 25 to 28 in Stellenbosch, South Africa. This edition was particularly significant as it marked the first time CLF was organized in the country, bringing together academics, researchers, and industry professionals to exchange insights on learning factories, best practices, and teaching methodologies.
CLF serves as a leading platform for fostering collaboration in manufacturing engineering and production management education and research. The 2025 edition was hosted by the Department of Industrial Engineering at Stellenbosch University, offering a dynamic space for discussing cutting-edge advancements in the field.
As part of LCAMP’s Work on “Collaborative Learning Factory for Industry 4.0 Technologies Absorption”, two research papers were presented:
- “Configuration Manager for a Collaborative Learning Factory” – Presented by Prof. Klaus-Dieter Rupp from DHBW-Heidenheim, this paper explored new approaches to managing configurations within learning factory environments.
- “Integration of Assistance Technology in a Collaborative Learning Factory for Human-Centric Applications” – Presented by Liher Errasti from Miguel Altuna LHII, this study detailed the implementation of an Operative Assistance System (OAS) within a digital assembly workstation in a Collaborative Learning Factory (CLF). The system integrates augmented reality (AR), 3D sensors based on Time of Flight (ToF) technology, and real-time data acquisition, enhancing industrial training environments. The goal is to help students optimize processes, improve decision-making, and experiment with cutting-edge technologies, all while maintaining a human-centric approach with a focus on operator well-being and ergonomics.
Beyond presenting LCAMP’s advancements, CLF 2025 provided an excellent opportunity to explore ongoing international projects in learning factories. With over 90 papers presented and 107 attendees from various institutions and global companies, the conference facilitated knowledge exchange, networking, and discussions on the future of digital transformation in manufacturing education.
Participation in CLF 2025 has been a valuable milestone for LCAMP, allowing us to disseminate project results, engage with experts, and strengthen collaborations in learning factories and Industry 4.0 technologies adoption. We look forward to continuing our mission to advance collaborative learning environments and drive innovation in vocational and technical education.
