Course Details
Course Information Package
Course Unit Title | INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION | ||||||
Course Unit Code | AMEM421 | ||||||
Course Unit Details | |||||||
Number of ECTS credits allocated | 5 | ||||||
Learning Outcomes of the course unit | By the end of the course, the students should be able to:
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Mode of Delivery | Face-to-face | ||||||
Prerequisites | NONE | Co-requisites | NONE | ||||
Recommended optional program components | NONE | ||||||
Course Contents | Part 1: Introduction to Automation Historic evolution from relay logic to computerized systems, Role of automation in industries, Benefits of automation, Basic elements of an automated system, Advanced automation functions, Levels of automation. Part 2: Common Process Variables and Measurements Common Process Variables: Pressure, Temperature, Flow, Level, Humidity, Displacement & Speed, Vibration, etc. Common Process Measurements: Introduction to Sensors, Measuring Principles, Switches & Alarm Generation, Transmitters, Flow, Level, Temperature, RTD, Thermocouple, Speed Transducers, Proximity Probes, Measuring gauges, Signal conditioning, Errors & calibration, Measurement of electrical parameters. Part 3: Hardware Components for Automation and Process Control Sensors for measurement, control & monitoring and Drives which perform the desired action as well as software development and their applications. Operating characteristics of actuators such as solenoid valves, control valves, pumps, stepping motors, ac and dc motors. Part 4: Programmable Logic Controllers - PLCs Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers: Advantages & disadvantages of PLC with respect to relay logic, PLC architecture, Input Output modules, PLC interfacing with plant, memory structure of PLC. PLC programming methodologies: ladder diagram, STL, functional block diagram, creating ladder diagram from process control descriptions. PLC functions: bit logic instructions, ladder diagram examples, latching, logical functions, PLC Timer & Counter functions on-delay timer, off-delay timers, retentive on-delay timers, timer examples, up-counter, down-counter and up-down counter, counter examples, register basics. Part 5: Implementations on simulated PLC Control and Automation techniques using Programmable Logic Controllers for applications like Lift Control, Sequence Control in Industries, Traffic Light control, Control of Batch processes, Speed Control and other specific applications pertaining to Industrial Automation which vary from industry to industry. | ||||||
Recommended and/or required reading: | |||||||
Textbooks |
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References |
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Planned learning activities and teaching methods | The course is delivered through three hours of lectures per week, which include presentation of new material and demonstration of concepts and methods. Lectures also include in-class exercises to enhance the material learning process and to assess the student level of understanding and provide feedback accordingly. Practical demonstrations and labwork are conducted in computer laboratories using various specialised software tools (e.g. PLC simulator). The course material (notes, exercises, forum, etc) is maintained on the university’s e-learning platform | ||||||
Assessment methods and criteria |
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Language of instruction | English | ||||||
Work placement(s) | NO |