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Teaching Industrial Control with Open-Source Software

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Conference

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Baltimore , Maryland

Publication Date

June 25, 2023

Start Date

June 25, 2023

End Date

June 28, 2023

Conference Session

Technology Integration in Manufacturing Curriculum

Tagged Division

Manufacturing Division (MFG)

Page Count

11

DOI

10.18260/1-2--44420

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/44420

Download Count

195

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Paper Authors

biography

Hugh Jack P. Eng. Western Carolina University Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0003-4299-8561

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Dr. Jack is the Cass Ballenger Distinguished Professor of Engineering in the School of Engineering and Technology within Western Carolina University. His interests include robotics, automation, and product design.

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biography

Scott C. Rowe Western Carolina University Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0001-5691-0790

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Scott Rowe is an Assistant Professor in Western Carolina University’s School of Engineering + Technology. He joined Western Carolina University in 2021 after studies in concentrated solar power and controls engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. Scott’s research relates to accessible and inexpensive engineering equipment for laboratory education.

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Abstract

This paper presents an innovative approach to teaching Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) using open-source software and low-cost hardware in an engineering curriculum. The OpenPLC software and a variety of affordable hardware platforms, such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi, are employed to provide students with hands-on experience in programming PLCs. The incorporation of PLC content in the second year of the curriculum prepares students for summer internships, better satisfying industry demands and enhancing their careers. This approach is also beneficial for multidisciplinary project-based learning courses throughout the engineering program. Although a formal assessment of the approach's effectiveness is yet to be conducted, anecdotal evidence suggests positive outcomes. Overall, this paper demonstrates the value of using free software and low-cost hardware in teaching PLC concepts, paving the way for more accessible and cost-effective education in this crucial area of engineering.

Jack, H., & Rowe, S. C. (2023, June), Teaching Industrial Control with Open-Source Software Paper presented at 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Baltimore , Maryland. 10.18260/1-2--44420

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