Abstract
The increasing digitalization of manufacturing systems has highlighted the potential for Digital Twins and model-based simulation to support control, decision-making, and innovation in next-generation factories. However, while virtual and remote learning factories are frequently discussed as a training and experimentation paradigm, existing literature and industry feedback reveal that concrete implementations remain scarce. In this work, we investigate the transition from static virtual models to control-oriented Digital Twins within the context of a Smart Mini Factory, as a means to bridge this gap. We propose a model-based integration framework that incrementally integrates kinematic, dynamic, and synchronization aspects of manufacturing resources into a virtual environment, enabling simulation and what-if analysis relevant to decision-support tasks. This framework is aimed at supporting manufacturing innovation by offering a protected simulation environment in which alternative configurations, process designs, and operational strategies can be explored without interrupting real systems. We discuss the role of Digital Twins as both modeling and decision-support tools within Virtual Learning Factory settings, and we identify key challenges in making such environments useful for practitioners. A Smart Mini Factory case illustrates the potential of the approach and highlights directions for future research in control-oriented Digital Twins for manufacturing systems.