Mechanical Measuring Instruments and Metrology Lab

Lab Objectives

The lab aims to provide a versatile platform for practical and theoretical learning of industrial automation technologies, using the bus process board that simulates a wide range of real plants and scenarios. The specific objectives include:

• Simulating and controlling complex industrial processes through standard PLC interfaces (e.g. S7 -1500, S7 – 1200, LOGO!, ET200SP, PROFINET/PROFIBUS);
• Developing programmable automation sequences with TIA Portal, integrating digital and analogue signals;
• Becoming familiar with the operating logic of real plants (e.g. star-delta, conveyor belts, alarms, traffic lights, filling and mixing systems);
• Simulating fault conditions to develop skills in diagnostics and in checking system reliability.

Educational Aims

The bus process board is a modular and complete teaching platform that combines theory, practice and realistic simulation. Its educational aims are: 1. Acquiring fundamental technical skills

• Understanding decentralised automation architectures through the use of PROFINET, PROFIBUS, LOGO! and ET200SP;
• Learning PLC programming techniques in TIA Portal, with guided examples and practical exercises;
• Using digital and analogue modules to handle standard inputs/outputs and process signals; 2. Developing application and design skills
• Building and testing complete educational projects, such as: o stair/outdoor lighting; o home alarms and burglar alarm systems; o traffic management and traffic lights; o control of conveyors, stations, filling and mixing;
• Using the integrated fault simulator to learn diagnostic and predictive maintenance strategies; 3. Modular, progressive teaching
• The option of using teaching templates, TechnoCards and progressive experiment sets to adapt the complexity to the school or professional level;
• Student and trainer manuals, with practical exercises and guided solutions; 4. Industry 4.0 training
• An integrated approach to distributed I/O, with interfaces for advanced systems (ET200SP);
• Simulation in virtual and real environments to strengthen the interdisciplinary links between electronics, automation, industrial IT and sensor technology.

Conclusion

The lab based on the bus process board is a highly effective teaching tool, able to reproduce real operating conditions in a controlled and safe setting. Through a wide variety of experiments and the possibility of integration with Siemens hardware (S7-1500, S7 -1200, LOGO!, ET200SP), students can:

• Gain a complete understanding of the life cycle of an automated process;
• Learn to design, test, modify and monitor real control logic;