INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION
Learning outcomes of the course unit
Know the basic functional solutions for the implementation of production systems: architecture, mechanisms, control systems and supervision. Knowing how to choose the most suitable solution, known to the functional requirements of a production line.
Knowing the technological solutions of the different subsystems in order to assess the possible options when choosing or changing a production line.
Knowing the key elements that make it possible to participate in the development team for the project of a new production line.
Knowing how to communicate this information to the team in order to coordinate its activities.
Prerequisites
Electrical motors
Fundamentals of mechanics
Course contents summary
- The automated machines and the design of motion
- Motor-load coupling, gearbox, transmission and motion conversion
- The mechanisms commonly adopted: selection criteria, performance
- Description, selection criteria and performance of the most common industrial actuators
- Examples of applications
- Exercises: selection and sizing
- PID Controllers
- Axis control, examples and applications
- Microcontrollers
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
- The distributed control systems (DCS)
- The programming languages according to IEC 61131
- Examples of applications and programming exercises
- The acquisition systems, monitoring and supervision
- Programming of a commercial SCADA
- Introduction to Intelligent Manufacturing
- Sensor Fusion for production systems
- Methods of feature extraction and feature analysis
- Examples of applications and laboratory exercises
Recommended readings
Slides of the lessons by the lecturer
Reference text
Title:
Robotics - Designing the mechanisms for automated machinery,Ben-Zion Sandler, Academic Press, 1999
Further reading
Proficy HMI / SCADA iFIX - UNDERSTANDING iFIX Version 5.0 August 2008 GE FANUC
Allen Bradley SLC 500 ® Instruction Set Reference Manual
Automating Manufacturing Systems with PLCs, Hugh Jack, http://engineeronadisk.com/V2/book_PLC/engineeronadisk.html
Teaching methods
Interactive lessons and exercises
Exercises will be individual and practices, with the purpose of providing each student the possibility to be able to design autonomous solution to the real problems that will be proposed. These activities will be planned in such a way that within each exercise, the student can achieve practically the solutions to the problems outlined during theoretical lessons.
Assessment methods and criteria
There will be optional written intermediate tests or a final written exam divided in two parts. It will also be assigned a group project.
Tests will assess the knowledge of all the contents explained in class and included in the slides available to students.
We also intend to test the ability to apply the course content to simple exercises: calculating actuators for production machinery, programming with PLC and SCADA systems to be solved on paper.
The test will consist of closed questions, open-ended questions and 3 exercises. The sum of these scores and the Group project grade is the overall grade of the examination expressed as a grade of out of 30. An exam is deemed to be passed successfully if the final grade is equal to or higher than 18/30. In the event of a full grade (30/30), the Examination Board may grant honours (lode).
Success in an intermediate test exempts from the corresponding part of the program in the final test.
