Reconfigurable and Scalable Automated Systems Projects for Manufacturing Automation and Control Education
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Studies have suggested that individuals have different learning styles. Some students are more hands-on while others are more analytic. Automation and control courses often include laboratory exercises to provide hands-on experience. However, laboratory exercises often focus on one aspect of automation and control at a time, such as wiring or PLC programming. Needed are more comprehensive learning experiences that provide students the opportunity to integrate their knowledge and skills in building complete systems. To achieve this goal, the author recently implemented semester projects in which students build small-scale automated systems using Fischertechnik components along with industrial programmable logic controller, relays, and motors. Students' feedback suggests that this approach is viable and relevant to their learning experience and future careers. In addition, they are often proud of their finished projects and are willing to show them at university-sponsored outreach and dissemination events. This paper details the implementation, execution, and contents of these projects and how they relate to the course syllabus c American Society for Engineering Education, 2011.
