"Machine Vision, PLCs and Motion Control for Manufacturing Engineering Undergraduate Students"

A sequence of two 10-week courses on advanced industrial automation were designed and implemented in 2013 with support from various industry partners.The courses, including laboratory, were designed for upper division undergraduate engineering students, and were offered for the first time in Spring and Fall 2013.The objective was to provide engineering students with theoretical and hands-on practical experience with automation technologies that are of prime importance in industry: machine vision, programmable logic controllers based on the IEC-61131 standard, motion control and the integration of these technologies.Developing applications and integration of state of the art industrial automation technology (hardware and software) has become fairly easy compared to only a few years ago.Manufacturing engineering students, as well as all other engineering students who will work on design and improvement of automated processes should be exposed to these advanced automation technologies.This paper describes the methodologies and relevant concepts covered in class, laboratory equipment, and lab activities developed for this course, as well as examples of student projects from Fall 2013.The course and laboratory materials were evaluated for learning effectiveness and technical content, which are included in this paper.