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Automation Laboratory Development Focusing On Industrial Hands-On Experience, Simulation Software, And Application Research Projects, Cheng Y. Lin, John R. Hackworth

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

This paper describes the development of an Automation Control Lab in the Department of Engineering Technology at the University. The lab facility includes pneumatic actuators/sensors, electrical relays/switches, and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). The major goal of the development is to help students gain hands-on industrial experience by conducting simple projects during the lecture hours and more advanced projects during the lab hours. Simulation software is also applied to reduce implementation time when developing complicated pneumatic circuits and PLC programs. In addition, three examples of industrial automation projects using PLC from the Technology Application Center (TAC) are also introduced to students …