Chemical Engineering and Production Technologies Lab

Lab Objectives

• Provide students with the theoretical and practical skills to configure, parameterise and commission a single-phase inverter for three-phase drives.
• Understand how the frequency converter works in V/f, FCC and vector control modes (with or without an encoder).
• Explore the use of the Intelligent Operator Panel (IOP) and the STARTER/StartDrive configuration software for controlling asynchronous motors.
• Develop interfacing and communication skills via Profinet, simulating real industrial scenarios (e.g. fans, lifting, conveying and control systems).

Educational Aims

• Develop operational mastery of the SINAMICS G120 through direct use of the DIN A4 experiment board with access to digital and analogue inputs/outputs.
• Encourage the acquisition of cross-disciplinary skills spanning electrical engineering, automation and industrial IT, including PLC logic and network interfacing.
• Promote active, experimental learning, in which students take the lead in the process through guided exercises, applied projects and troubleshooting.
• Explore key concepts of safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and energy optimisation in automation systems.
• Provide concrete preparation for work-based learning (PCTO) or for entering technical workplaces, thanks to realistic exercises simulating customer requests and commissioning.

Conclusion

The lab provides a complete, professional learning experience in the use of industrial inverters, combining theory, practice and real-world application. Using the SINAMICS G120 inverter together with the IOP panel, the STARTER software and the Profinet interface allows students to acquire not only the fundamentals of industrial automation but also advanced skills linked to real scenarios. The progressive modules, from fan control to integration with technology objects and PLCs, ensure a gradual and effective learning pathway that meets the needs of the world of work.