BSc in Mechanical Engineering

Course Details

Course Information Package

Course Unit TitleINDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION
Course Unit CodeAMEM421
Course Unit Details
Number of ECTS credits allocated5
Learning Outcomes of the course unitBy the end of the course, the students should be able to:
  1. Describe the core elements of automation technology applied in industry.
  2. Describe the main principles behind various automation solutions in industry.
  3. Identify and select hardware and software requirements for an industrial automation system.
  4. Use specific techniques and resources for designing industrial automation systems.
  5. Solve problems based on a defined set of requirements for automation in a number of industrial scenarios.
  6. Identify the applications of PLC's to industrial processes and design PLC programs to solve sequential control problems.
Mode of DeliveryFace-to-face
PrerequisitesNONECo-requisitesNONE
Recommended optional program componentsNONE
Course ContentsPart 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
  • Mikell P. Groover: Automation, Production Systems, and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, Prentice Hall, 2007
References
  • Webb, John W.; Reis, Ronald A., Programmable Logic Controllers: Principles and Applications (5th Ed.), Prentice Hall, 2003
  • James Rehg, Glenn Sartori, Programmable Logic Controllers(2nd ed.), Prentice Hall, 2009.
  • Dave Geller, Programmable Controllers Using the Allen-Bradley SlC-500 Family, (2nd ed.), Prentice Hall, 2005.
  • Khaled Kamel, Eman Kamel, Programmable Logic Controllers; Industrial Control, Mc Graw Hill. 2013.
Planned learning activities and teaching methodsThe 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
Tests40%
Final Exam60%
Language of instructionEnglish
Work placement(s)NO

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