Conference Session

A Technology Potpourri II

Collection

2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mark J. Indelicato, Rochester Institute of Technology; Jeanne Christman Ph.D., Rochester Institute of Technology; George H. Zion, Rochester Institute of Technology

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

[1]. A contributing factor to theirdissatisfaction was found to be the manner in which engineering courses were taught. The factthat well-qualified students are leaving engineering has raised concern, and the need for changein engineering education, to retain more students and to better prepare them to face today’sengineering challenges, has been well documented [2-5]. In acknowledgement of the need forchange in the traditional methods of teaching engineering, calls for reform have been made bythe National Academy of Engineering [ 4], the American Society of Engineering Education [5]and the National Science Foundation [ 6]. Each of these organizations has recognized that thetraditional practice of educating engineers is failing its students

Conference Session

Electrical/Electronic ET Issues

Collection

2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Steve C. Hsiung, Old Dominion University; Feng Jao, Ohio Northern University; Lijian Xu, Farmingdale State College; Marjaneh Issapour, State University of New York, Farmingdale

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

cyber enabled learning in the academic community build up.Two previous funded NSF projects: (1) TUES Type 2: “Dissemination of MicroprocessorCourses through Classroom and Interactive Cyber-Enabled Technologies” and (2) I-Corp L:“Transform the Innovated Design and Development of an Embedded Design Training Systemand Associated Support Curricula into a Commercial Available Product” addressed the issues ofoutdated microcontrollers (68XXX and 80XXX series) with new microcontrollers from MicrochipPIC and Arduino ATMEL. The introduction of the Texas Instruments (TI) ARM M4 series was adirect reflection of the I-Corp L project results that the academic community is still in need of anadvanced microcontroller platform to meet industry technical

Conference Session

MET and Mechatronics

Collection

2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

M. Austin Creasy, Purdue Polytechnic Institute

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

semesters. The results show that studentsthat used shared answers received statistically significant lower average class scores. The resultsalso show that the GUIs did not affect the students learning in sketching shear and momentdiagrams, but the results provided the instructor with data about which students shared solutions,which students used shared answers, and that no answer sharing occurred between the courses ofdifferent semesters.IntroductionIn the learning process, instruction is provided to students through varying styles of teaching thatfall under one of the many common learning models and theories [1], [2], [3]. The instructionprovides students new information that needs to be assimilated into their understanding [1]. Theretainment of

Conference Session

ET Administrative Issues

Collection

2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Nancy K. Sundheim, St. Cloud State University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

believe it could be usedsuccessfully by others.IntroductionAn interdisciplinary group of university faculty worked together in a Faculty LearningCommunity to study a pedagogy called Understanding by Design (UbD). We then implementedit in our university courses. Results were reported in [1].Just as we were completing this study, I was tasked with developing a new program inManufacturing Engineering Technology. The school had no engineering technology programs atthat time so there was no guideline to follow. But this also meant there were no constraints.Where to start? It seemed natural to turn to the principles underlying the UbD approach andadapt it to use in the development of the program. It was helpful for many aspects of this taskproviding

Conference Session

Electrical/Electronic ET Issues

Collection

2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Reg Recayi Pecen, Sam Houston State University; Faruk Yildiz, Sam Houston State University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

licenses of the LabVIEWTM 2017version. The new course session will be offered in Fall 2018 using the LabVIEWTM 2017version.The knowledge and skills acquired with regard to instrumentation and interfacing in the ECETareas have become significant in terms of involvement in the applications of sensors andtransducers and the design of associated interface circuits; laboratory experiences whichintegrate sensors, data acquisition hardware, and software; experimental-design projectimplementation; and the reporting of the experience which included both actual lab equipmentand virtual instruments [1-3]. National Instrument (NI)’s LabVIEWTM is used to create virtualinstruments and to facilitate data acquisition [4]. This course serves as a core class for

Conference Session

MET and Mechatronics

Collection

2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Keith S. Pate, University of Southern Indiana; Joseph David Marx; Abdallah A. Chehade; Farid Breidi, University of Southern Indiana

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

transparent material, allowing students to observe all of thesystems components as the excavator is being operated. The design features a portable, tabletop, arm that can be cut out from a piece of 3/8” Lexan and a piece of 1/4” aluminum. Thehydraulic arm only requires a few tools to assemble and a standard 120VAC/15A electrical outletto operate. Joysticks are used to manually operate the movement of the excavator arm. Thesejoysticks actuate mechanical valves that transfer the chosen fluid (tap water or air) to actuators,which extend and retract, controlling the motion of the arms. The arm mimics a full-sizedexcavator and can educate the operator on modern hydraulic and pneumatic technologies andhow they are being used in industry. This technological

Conference Session

ET Pedagogy II

Collection

2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Veto Matthew Ray, Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis; Joe Tabas, Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

. c American Society for Engineering Education, 2018 Developing Improved Methodology for Online Delivery of Coursework Providing a Framework for Quality Online EducationIntroductionThe relative quality of online education in the United States has been in question for decades,while a higher value is placed on an education provided in a traditional classroom setting.Studies have shown that a majority of faculty members polled don’t accept the value andlegitimacy of online courses [1]. Still, many institutes have encouraged faculty members topursue the development of online courses to meet the rising demand for quality online education.The key terms here are “quality” and “education”. A

Conference Session

ET Projects

Collection

2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Biswajit Ray, Bloomsburg University; Robert Chambers; Nathan Henry, Bloomsburg University; Paul Michael Karcher

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

shown in Figure 1, and apictorial view of the system is shown in Figure 2. In order to tune the guitar using servo motors,several parts were designed using SolidWorks, including a tuning station and an attachment forthe servo motor that would fit over the tuning pegs of the guitar. The LabVIEW software withmyDAQ10,11 hardware was used in implementing the closed-loop system. The design allows theuser to select the string to be tuned and the frequency to tune the string to. After selecting whichstring to tune, the user can pluck the string on the guitar, and the tuning peg on the guitar isturned automatically using a servo motor, which loosens or tightens the string to achieve thedesired frequency. In terms of control, signal from the guitar

Conference Session

Engineering Technology Division Poster Session

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ali Ahmad, Northwestern State University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

skillsSeveral institutions nationwide provide certification programs in quality control. Table 1provides examples of such programs offered by University of California- San Diego9, Universityof Central Florida10, and Collin College11. These certificates have audiences ranging fromgeneral manufacturing or healthcare to specific industries such as pharmaceutical and biologicalcompanies. They are available at the associate, undergraduate, and graduate levels. Someinstitutions provide only a set of required courses, while others include a choice among a setelective courses. The courses associated with the certificates are offered face-to-face, online, orin a hybrid format.Table 1. Examples of Quality Control Certificate Programs Program Name

Conference Session

Engineering Technology Division Poster Session

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mert Bal, Miami University; Reza Abrishambaf, Miami University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

engineering technology.1. IntroductionDistance learning is considered to be one of the most challenging areas in the field ofengineering; students who have no or limited access to on-campus facilities, and little to no face-to-face contact with academic staff and fellow students face the risk of not being able to engagein course-work material and can feel isolated. Due to the size and the high cost of the laboratoryequipment, it is often impractical and unaffordable for universities to provide hands-onlaboratory experiences to their distance learners using actual laboratory equipment1. Severalprograms have implemented solutions for this problem including the lab kits that contain small,inexpensive laboratory equipment that each student either

Conference Session

Engineering Technology Division Poster Session

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Pam Page Carpenter, NC State University; Nasim Lari; Erik Schettig, Wake County Public School System; David Matthew Sander, Wake Forest High School

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

,technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The STEP program provides teacher trainingand curricula on Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs), Smart Grid, and careers in science,engineering, and technology as it relates to the automotive and the supportinginfrastructure. The program has had an impact on over 1,500 students and teachers in therespective state since its inception. STEP’s curriculum is a STEM based program thatincludes problem-solving, critical thinking and inquiry-based learning with relevance toreal world issues. STEP includes a hands-on component, which includes a 1/10 scalemodel PEV as students learn about battery technologies, powertrain, chassis design andother related topics.The STEP competition gives students a relevant learning

Conference Session

Engineering Technology Division Poster Session

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

M. Austin Creasy, Purdue Polytechnic Institute

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

this area.IntroductionThe definition of homework, as defined by Cooper,1 is “tasks assigned to students by schoolteachers that are meant to be carried out during non-school hours.” The topic of homework hasgained a significant interest from the majority of the nation’s population because of the publicschool system and the time commitment by students to complete assignments during non-schoolhours. Many initial reviews and studies compared homework to no homework learning2, 3 andmany of these studies are inconclusive. In a review of homework literature, Knorr stated4 thatthe research is inconclusive and that “we may be spending our energies on trying to answer oneor two questions that are so broad and that encompass a set of factors so complex

Conference Session

Engineering Technology Division Poster Session

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Wangling Yu, Purdue University, North Central; Omer Farook, Purdue University Northwest; Jai P. Agrawal, Purdue University Northwest; Ashfaq Ahmed P.E., Purdue University Northwest

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

teaching introductory undergraduatemicrocontroller’s class. The microcontrollers have become ubiquitous in our daily life. Theyhave been the engine behind automatically-controlled products and devices. As a result thiscourse is taken by many of the non-electrical majoring students.In this paper, we present our pedagogies for teaching a microcontroller introductory course withemphasis on detection and control applications. The proposed course uses Arduino [1], which isan open-source electronics platform, based on easy-to-use hardware and software. The coursecover the architectural details of ATmega328P. The course is unique in instructing studentsutilizing standard C (C11 (formerly C1X) is an informal name for ISO/IEC 9899:2011) [2], thecurrent

Conference Session

Engineering Technology Division Poster Session

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Riley Sevan Harding, Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis; Patricia Fox, Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis; Charles McIntyre, Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis; Terri L. Talbert-Hatch, Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

Learning Communities.” Living learning communities are a kind of co-registration or block scheduling that enables students to take courses together where the samestudents register for two or more courses, forming a sort of study team.13 Living learningcommunities are defined as programs in which undergraduate students live together in a discreteportion of a residence hall or the entire hall and participate in academic and/or extra-curricularprogramming designed specifically for them.5 These programs can look different depending onthe size of the institution; the needs, values, and beliefs of the students; and those individualsfacilitating the program.1 Typically, living learning communities are centered on a commontheme, require that students

Conference Session

Engineering Technology Division Poster Session

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michael C. Hatfield, University of Alaska, Fairbanks; Catherine F. Cahill, University of Alaska, Fairbanks; John Monahan, University of Alaska, Fairbanks

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

community. It also serves as a catalyst in providing low-cost andrelevant STEM opportunities to local K-12 students.UAS Selection and Operational Significance.UAS selection was based on a number of factors: 1) Effort satisfies real-world requirements; 2) UASsystems in inventory/available; 3) Size and complexity of components requiring repair/replacement; 4)Likely operational requirement for UAS asset and support from ACUASI; 5) Facilities, equipment, andmaterials required for design and construction of UAS components; 6) Opportunities to provide studentopportunities through academic courses, research projects, student club activities, and grant stipends;and 7) Student availability, motivation, and skill levels. Matching these has been a vital and

Conference Session

Engineering Technology Division Poster Session

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sheree Buikema, Purdue University; Robert J. Herrick, Purdue Polytechnic Institute; Wanju Huang, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

, creates a morestudent-centered environment that encourages students to access information that best supportstheir learning needs and focuses on the process of learning over the product. Even though thereis a positive trend in student ability to solve course problems, the authors have encounteredimplementation challenges such as ADA compliance issues and limited content access tostudents outside the university, both of which are discussed in the paper as well.1. Background1.1 Course Redesign GoalsThe general course format, which consists of two lectures and a two-hour lab each week, wasinitially developed by a team of faculty members from the School of Engineering Technologyand was offered in the spring of 2012. The professor coauthoring this

Conference Session

Engineering Technology Division Poster Session

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Eric Leonhardt, Western Washington University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

vehicle dynamics, chassis design,and aerodynamics. Before these program changes, students competing in SAE collegiate-designchallenges such as Baja or Formula SAE designed vehicle systems and components prior toexperiencing the appropriate formal coursework. The tunnel-hull design project plays a role inaddressing the challenge these situations posed by introducing pre-major students to a vehicle-design process that includes calculations of fundamental vehicle forces.The tunnel-hull design project grew out of an earlier design project developed for high-schooland first-year engineering technology students who developed Ekranoplan or wing-in-ground–effect vehicles powered primarily with rubber bands.1 For the Ekranoplan project, the

Conference Session

Engineering Technology Division Poster Session

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Anne M. Lucietto, Purdue University; Diane L. Peters P.E., Kettering University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

; Daly, S. R. Returning to graduate school: Expectations of success, values of the degree, and managing the costs. Journal of Engineering Education 102, 244-268 (2013).2 Peters, D. L. & Daly, S. R. The Challenge of Returning: Transitioning from an Engineering Career to Graduate School in Annual Conference & Exposition.(2011)3 Lucietto, A. M. Who is the engineering technology graduate and where do they go? in Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), 2016 IEEE. 1-7 (IEEE).4 Lucietto, A. M. Identity of an Engineering Technology Graduate, in ASEE's 123rd Conference and Exposition (ed ASEE) (New Orleans, LA, 2016).5 Statistics, N. C. f. E. Graduate enrollment in programs in engineering, physical and

Conference Session

Engineering Technology Division Poster Session

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Anne M. Lucietto, Purdue University; Sarah E. Leach P.E., Purdue Polytechnic Institute

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

asthey relate to available retention and degree completion data. This analysis will provide theadministration and engineering technology education practitioners with information to aide inrecruitment and development of a learning environment well suited to the students.IntroductionLittle rigorous research has been done in engineering technology education.1 To some that is notrelevant, to others, particularly those teaching in this field it is significant. Practitioners see thispopulation underrepresented when compared to other fields in STEM.. As one reviews theliterature, this issue becomes more obvious as findings in engineering are used to supportpedagogy in engineering technology courses. Students become disengaged as many of thesestudents

Conference Session

Engineering Technology Division Poster Session

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ilse B. Nava Medina , Texas A&M University ; Angie Hill Price, Texas A&M University; Mathew Kuttolamadom, Texas A&M University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

-format from a convenience standpoint, they in fact performed better in theaccelerated format offerings, as well as in the immediately succeeding courses.1. IntroductionThe Manufacturing & Mechanical Engineering Technology (MMET) program has three maintopic tracks in the dedicated curriculum as shown in Fig. 1. The two foundational materialscourses, MMET 206 and 207, an introductory manufacturing course, MMET 181, and theengineering mechanics course, MMET 275, are the basics of two of the three emphasis areas,and are the encouraged courses for first semester MMET major students. Fig. 1: The 3 main topic tracks in the dedicated MMET curriculumSummer courses have been offered recently as a way to accommodate recent transfers from

Conference Session

Engineering Technology Division Poster Session

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Behnam Shadravan, Florida A&M University; Yves J. Anglade, Florida A&M University/Florida State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

University, Erie, PA(8/12 - 8/14) Associate Professor, Engineering Tech. Department Com. College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA (8/10 - 8/12) Visiting Research Assistant Professor, Research on concrete structures retrofitting, Univer- sity of Pittsburgh, PA, USA (1/12 - 8/12) Part Time Professor, Research Assistant, Teaching Assistant, University of Ottawa, Canada (1/04 - 8/10) Part-Time Lecturer, University of Water and power technology, Tehran, Iran (8/99 - 8/01)Dr. Yves J. Anglade, Florida A&M University/Florida State University c American Society for Engineering Education, 2017 Case study of a Distance Learning Experience on Construction

Conference Session

Engineering Technology Division Poster Session

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Shannon K. Sweeney, Pennsylvania State University, Erie

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

measurement data for each method. Theprimary goals are for students to be able to conduct both methods and to compare the results fora test case. Secondary goals are to investigate the sources of variation in the measurementprocess and to seek improvements to the measurement process.IntroductionGage capability studies are necessary for any organization to evaluate variation in theirmeasurement processes.1 They have been used to evaluate variation in the measurement processfor anything from linear dimensions taken by a micrometer to hardness of metals obtained byindentation after thermal processing2 to imbalance of rotating components.3 Gage capabilitystudies are often required by industrial customers during their quality audits of suppliers and

Conference Session

Engineering Technology Division Poster Session

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Tracy L. Yother, Purdue University; Mary E. Johnson, Purdue University; Brian Kozak, Purdue University; James Thom, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

, SpaceX had 485 positions opened on their website [1]. Of those positions,approximately 100, or 20%, were positions that current AET graduates were competitive withother applicants, including those from traditional engineering science programs. However, withrelatively minor adjustments to the curriculum of the AET program, Purdue’s graduates wouldhave been more than competitive; they could easily have been the frontrunners.Commercial space companies are not the only ones looking for employees in the commercialspace sector. The FAA still has regulatory oversight and has open positions in their specializedOffice of Commercial Space Transportation, a part of the US Department of Transportation. Perthe FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation [2

Conference Session

ETD Internet of Things (IOT)

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jay R. Porter, Texas A&M University; Joseph A. Morgan, Texas A&M University; Michael Johnson, Texas A&M University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

lack of interest and aptitude in science,technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines. While most teachers are well versed inmath and science through their formal education, very few have experience and/or educationalbackgrounds in engineering and technology. Engineering is widely viewed as the application ofmath and science for the betterment of humanity. Presenting students with engineering andtechnology instruction will allow them to better understand the different aspects and interactionsamong the STEM disciplines. Given the prominence of engineering in both state [1] and thenational Next Generation Science standards [2], this is a critical need. The work in this NationalScience Foundation (NSF) Innovative Technology Experiences for

Conference Session

EET Papers 2

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Nikunja Swain P.E., South Carolina State University and Excelsior College; Shambhu Shastry, Excelsior College; Shou-Bang Jian, Excelsior College

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

problems, understand relationships,and interpret material. The tests contain questions that require critical thinking and interpretation ofgraphs, diagrams, and charts based on material related to the field.The capstone examination is compulsory; not taking the exam will result in an incomplete or failinggrade. Additional points awarded to the student’s course grade are shown in Table 1 below: Table 1 – Additional points from Capstone Exam Examination Score % Awarded Points* Above 90 15 80-89 12 70-79 9 65-69

Conference Session

EET Papers 2

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Elaine M. Cooney, Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis; Paul Yearling P.E., Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis; Karl J. Huehne, Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

values and tolerance. Then the students are instructed to build the circuit in Figure 1. This circuit is simply a resistor mounted in series with a dc voltage supply and dc ammeter. The dc voltage measured across the resistor should be the same as the voltage supply. The objective of the assignment is toFigure 1 Circuit for Laboratory Assignment

Conference Session

MET Papers 2

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Azar Eslam Panah, Pennsylvania State University, Berks; Amir Barakati, Pennsylvania State University, Berks

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

construction in an efficient manner.The team put significant effort into providing a high quality facility that can be used for teachingand research purposes. While the design project worked well as a capstone project, theconstructed water channel will be used as a valuable facility in both Mechanical Engineering andElectro-Mechanical Engineering Technology programs.1. IntroductionFluid Dynamics is an inseparable part of the Mechanical Engineering world and manyuniversities include lab activities in the area of Fluid Dynamics in their curriculum. However,commonwealth campuses have very limited access to laboratory facilities where real liferesearch experiences can take place. Previous studies such as Kubesh and Allie’s have stated thatthe design and

Conference Session

MET and Mechatronics

Collection

2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jorge Rodriguez P.E., Western Michigan University; Alamgir A. Choudhury, Western Michigan University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

fluid power [1].There might be some specific industrial segments where fluid power is a predominanttechnology, but its range of applicability is something that has spanned many industrial segmentsfor decades, and it is something that has a bright future because of the role it will play in currentinitiatives, such as IoT, Industry 4.0 and others [2].For U.S. economy, and particularly for the state of Michigan, manufacturing is a criticalcomponent that has declined due to globalization and competition. Innovation in order to havemore efficient and higher productivity components and services is required [3, 4]. The workplaceof engineering and engineering technology program graduates is changing due to increasingglobal competition, changing

Conference Session

ET Projects

Collection

2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Angran Xiao, New York City College of Technology; Andy S. Zhang, New York City College of Technology; Joyce Tam, New York City College of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

technology students lack experience of solving real world problems. We believeProject Based Learning (PBL) is especially effective in preparing students for the challenges inindustry. PBL is a dynamic classroom approach in which students actively explore, solve real worldproblems, and gain knowledge and skills through developing real products. PBL is a systematiclearning and teaching method. It engages students through research assignments, open endedquestions and well designed products [1] [2]. In [3], Analytis et al. introduced a paper robotproject, in which 76% of students reported gaining more knowledge in programmingmicrocontrollers, and 69% students reported learning more in creating electronic circuits. Mauket al. presented a point of care

Conference Session

A Technology Potpourri II

Collection

2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David Border, Bowling Green State University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Technology

. The data traffic destination is a Windows PC. The PLC and PC share a LANconnection and all data traffic is over Ethernet. Both strategies work well, yet the advantages of theopen architecture strategy, using demonstration software, is judged to be the most favorable solution forthe classroom and laboratory.I. IntroductionIn a recent ASEE conference paper [1], its author presented the case for broader instructional goals inintroductory Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) courses. He cited the need to include systemcommunication skills to support supervisory control and data acquisition tasks, compelling elements inmany curricula. Useful laboratory configuration details are in the body of work. In particular, thePLCs all had Ethernet physical