A Tool Suite for Automation Labs
- Conference
- Location
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Minneapolis, MN
- Publication Date
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August 23, 2022
- Start Date
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June 26, 2022
- End Date
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June 29, 2022
- Conference Session
- Page Count
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21
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--40656
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/40656
- Download Count
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446
Paper Authors
Bradley Kicklighter University of Southern Indiana
Brad holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (1989) and a MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Purdue University (2001).
His past work experience includes eleven years at Delphi (formerly Delco Electronics) as an Advanced Project Engineer, eleven years at Whirlpool Corporation as a Lead Engineer/Solution Architect, and three years at Ivy Tech Community College as an Instructor/Program Chair Pre-Engineering. Since 2015, he has been employed at the University of Southern Indiana as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Engineering Technology.
He holds three patents, has served as an IEEE section officer since 2004, and has been a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Indiana since 2005.
Abstract
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) are used to automate industrial equipment and processes. They are frequently used in laboratory activities in an automation course that is part of an engineering or engineering technology curriculum. Sensors and actuators to simulate industrial processes and machines are needed in addition to PLCs and HMIs to help students learn industrial control. With the rise of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), exposure to industrial networks is also important to automation students.
This paper presents a suite of tools for teaching automation labs that includes a PLC Trainer, Sensor/Actuator Module, HMI Module, and RS-485 Adapter (for Modbus RTU communication). This suite of tools is used in various combinations for labs that support learning outcomes for an automation course.
Direct assessment in the form of labs graded with rubrics and indirect assessment in the form of an end of semester survey of learning outcomes are presented to illustrate student performance.
Kicklighter, B. (2022, August), A Tool Suite for Automation Labs Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN. 10.18260/1-2--40656
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