Aims

Provide students with basics in the fields of :

- Industrial sensors
- Pneumatic and electropneumatic systems
- Robotics
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
- Field bus technology
- Mechanical indexors
Give students the opportunity to practice in the field of sequential automation, via seven laboratories dealing with pneumatic and electropneumatic logics, as well as programming an industrial conveyor.

Main themes

- Industrial sensors
- Pneumatic and electropneumatic systems
- Industrial Robotics
- Programmable Logic Controllers
- Field bus technology
- Mechanical indexors

Content and teaching methods

1. Introduction (1 lecture) :

What is industrial automation and what does it involve ? - course organization - grading - illustrations (video)

2. Industrial sensors (2 lectures)

Types and characteristics of sensors
Presentation of different types of sensors - principle and technology:
- displacement/position sensors
- velocity/acceleration sensors
- force/torque sensors
- pressure sensors
- …

3. Pneumatic and electropneumatic systems (3 lectures, 5 labs)

Pneumatic systems :
- compressed air : production, filtering, lubrication
- valves and cylinders: technology, applications, dimensioning
- pneumatic logics : simple circuits - study of signal problems
- bi-stable /mono-stable devices
- Installation : layout and dimensioning
Electropneumatic systems:
- electro-valves, relays, … : technology, dimensioning
- electropneumatic logics : simple circuits - study of signal problems
- bi-stable /mono-stable devices

4. Robotics (3 lectures)

Introduction: industrial robots, economic/statistical aspects
Robot classification, performances
Robot components :
- actuators
- transmission elements
- effectors (grippers, …)

5. Programmable Logic Controllers (3 lectures + 2 labs)

Introduction : origins, PLC versus electropneumatic logic
Technology, functioning, peripheral devices
Programming languages
Ladder programming : principles, practical examples
Grafcet programming : origins, principles, practical examples
Functional approach to sequential programming (Grafcet based)

6. Field bus (1 lecture)

Origins, principle - economic aspects
Technology, description of widespread field buses (Profibus DP, ASI, …)
Fieldbus and pneumatic systems

7. Mechanical indexors (1 lecture)

Applications, advantages, limitations
Technology : paradromic and globic cams
Characteristic parameters (dwell, index, stops, double index, …)
Static and dynamic dimensioning - practical examples

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Prérequisites : no

Grading : Written exam

Support :
- Notes : sensors, pneumatic systems and robotics
- Copies of slides : PLC, Mechanical indexors, Field bus

Visits to companies are organized during semester 1 or 2 in the field of industrial automation (ex. production lines, car manufacturing, …)

Programmes in which this activity is taught

Other credits in programs