A Remote Laboratory Experience in Teaching Discrete Event Simulation Modeling for Manufacturing Applications

Under social-distancing directives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, universities faced the problem of how to teach without providing access to the university installations. The physical laboratories and learning factories are essential pieces of equipment that allow for realistic modeling activities. At the Department of Mechanical Engineering in Politecnico di Milano, there is a laboratory that is used to teach students how to perform simulation projects related to manufacturing systems. The lab exploits physical models built with LEGO components. For the semester project in 2020, the developed system is a closed-loop production line with six stations, two of which supervised by operators. During the lockdown, a virtual connection to the laboratory has been exploited to allow students to not lose the opportunity of a fruitful experience. Three cameras have been installed on the model and a real-time dashboard has been developed to further enhance the understandability of the system behavior. Hence, although remotely, data can still be collected from the real system. The experience proved that despite the physical distance, the laboratory remains a valuable asset for an M.Sc. course educational offer.