Reference training system for intelligent manufacturing talent education: platform construction and curriculum development

Intelligent manufacturing (IM) talent education is becoming considerably relevant owing to the increasing versatility and multi-level compound requirements of academic and applied personnel. Serving as the core promoter of IM talent education, the actions and orientation of higher education are essential for IM society. However, there is no coherent framework in current engineering teaching programs, which can determine the key advancements of IM to facilitate theoretical learning and professional skills. Hence, this study presents a systematic reference training system in a highly student-centered interpretation for IM formation by establishing (1) innovation education platform, to bridge theoretical learning and hands-on practice and (2) enhanced curriculum development, which advocates broad training outcomes from multi-perspectives. First, the IM system architecture and the required attributes of IM talents are analyzed. Second, an innovation platform is constructed by incorporating interdisciplinary IM frontiers. Third, combining multimedia and interactive instruction, the IM training course clusters are reformed by covering overall cognition, module practice, and comprehensive application. In particular, a typical IM production line is depicted to increase students’ interests in participation, which can simultaneously develop disciplinary knowledge and practical skills. From the perspectives of students and instructors, evaluations and assessments demonstrate that this presented reference training system is beneficial for supporting modern IM talent education.