Automatic Control Fundamentals Teaching at Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Renata Wagnerová, Radim Farana · 2005
The paper deals with experiences from teaching the subject Automatic Control Fundamentals. This subject is a compulsory for all students of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in the bachelor study programme. After successfully passed exam, students should have basic knowledge from field of automation. For easy understanding the subject matter the laboratory was newly equipped and the model laboratory tasks were created. The contribution will show the tasks set and experiments. The experiments can be divided into three parts: logic control, control of a laboratory model with help of PC or a controller, and visualization. Model tasks from logic control area consist of six laboratory models. On these models students can learn how to design and program PLC controller. The models are: a model of reservoir level control (a Mitsubishi FX programmable logic controller is used; three types of experiments); four simple models controlled by the controller Alpha, Mitsubishi Electric, for example a simple transport link consisting of two belt conveyors; a laboratory model showing a security system of buildings. The second part is devoted to the control of laboratory models with help of a computer or a digital controller; the students will do experiments with PID controller or on-off controller. There are two types of laboratory models; the first is hot-air aggregate, the second is a level control stand with PID controller KS98+, pumping device sets the actuator and the electro-regulating valve generates a disturbance. The third part is concerning with visualization and monitoring of laboratory models with help of InTouch and ControlWeb 2000, which are both software for visualization.