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Learning factories can complement each other by training different competencies in the field of digitalisation and Industry 4.0. They depict diverse sections of the product development process and focus on various technologies. Within the framework of the International Association of Learning Factories (IALF), the operating organisations of learning factories exchange information on research, training and education. One of the aims is to develop joint projects. The article presents different concepts of cooperation between learning factories while focusing on the improvement of the development of learners competencies e.g. with a broader range of topics. A concept of a joint course between the learning factories in Bochum, Reutlingen and Darmstadt is explained in detail. The three learning factories will be examined with regard to their similarities and differences. The joint course focuses on the target group of students and the topic of digitalisation in the development and production of products. The course and its contents are explained in detail. The new learning approach is evaluated on the basis of feedback from the participants. Finally, challenges resulting from the cooperation between learning factories at different locations and with different operating models will be discussed.
Circular economy aims to support reuse and extends the product life cycles through repair, remanufacturing, upgrades and retrofits, as well as closing material cycles through recycling. To successfully manage the necessary transformation processes to circular economy, manufacturing enterprises rely on the competency of their employees. The definition of competency requirements for circular economy-oriented production networks will contribute to the operationalization of circular economy. The International Association of Learning Factories (IALF) statesin its mission the development of learning systems addressing these challenges for training of students and further education of industry employees. To identify the required competencies for circular economy, the major changes of the product life cycle phases have been investigated based on the state of the science and compared to the socio-technical infrastructure and thematic fields of the learning factories considered in this paper. To operationalize the circular economy approach in the product design and production phase in learning factories, an approach for a cross learning factory network (so called "Cross Learning Factory Product Production System (CLFPPS)") has been developed. The proposed CLFPPS represents a network on the design dimensions of learning factories. This approach contributes to the promotion of circular economy in learning factories as it makes use of and combines the focus areas of different learning factories. This enables the CLFPPS to offer a holistic view on the product life cycle in production networks.