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General information

Subject type: Mandatory

Coordinator: Julián Horrillo Tello

Trimester: Third term

Credits: 4

Teaching staff: 

Josep López Xarbau

Teaching languages

The software used as well as the manuals of the equipment used may be in English.

Skills

Basic skills

  • B1_Students have demonstrated knowledge and understanding in a field of study, based on general secondary education, and are accustomed to finding a level that, while supported by advanced textbooks, includes also some aspects that involve knowledge coming from the vanguard of his field of study

     

     

  • B2-That the students know how to apply their knowledge to their job or vocation in a professional way and have the skills that are demonstrated through the elaboration and defense of arguments and the resolution of problems within their area of 'study

  • B3_Students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their area of ​​study), to make judgments that include reflection on relevant social, scientific or ethical issues.  

Specific skills

  • E12_Know the basics of automation and control methods

     

Description

After a brief introduction to Automation, electrical wiring technology is first introduced. It is interesting to assimilate the fundamental concepts present in any other automation technology. There is a planned practice of this subject.

The main role of the subject corresponds to programmable automata. They currently represent the most versatile and most universally used solution in automation applications.

Know the structure and operation of this equipment. How to connect, how to communicate and, above all, learn how to program applications. All this constitutes the bulk of the subject.

Pneumatic technology is also introduced, as it is quite used in automation and combines very easily with automata.

The Grafcet methodology is used to better plan and structure the programming of applications with PLCs.

Various real automation exercises are presented that must be solved by programming the PLC. In the practice sessions it is a question of checking in a practical way the solutions of these exercises.

Most of the practices will be mainly of programming of programmable automata (Programmable controllers of automation).

We will start by introducing and getting to know the equipment (ControlLogix and CompactLogix) and the software (RSLinx and RSLogix5000) that we will use.

With simple programs we will learn the steps to follow to program any application: configuration of a project, programming (with basic instructions that we will introduce gradually), declaration of tags, verification, download of the program on the computer, implementation in RUN, simulation and checking the operation of the program.

In some exercises we will connect the input and output devices of the PLC, to see the actual operation of the exercise.

The subject of Automation I has a very practical approach. It is not just a matter of assimilating a few concepts but it is also a matter of executing practical procedures in order to program and simulate a certain automatism. This includes managing software, connections, communications, programming and simulation.


 

Learning outcomes

Learning Outcomes are:

  • Analyzes and designs industrial control and automation systems. (CE12)
  • Properly uses modeling and simulation tools. (CE12)
  • Write texts with the appropriate structure for communication objectives. Introduce the text to an audience with the right strategies and means. (CE10, CE11, CE12)
  • Get to know and put into practice the way and dynamics of teamwork. (CE10, CE11, CE12)
  • Identifies one's own information needs and uses the collections, spaces and services available to design and execute searches appropriate to the subject area. (CE10, CE11, CE12)
  • Carry out the tasks assigned based on the basic guidelines given by the teacher, deciding the time to be used in each section, including personal contributions and expanding the sources of information indicated. (CE10, CE11, CE12)
  • Know a third language with an appropriate level, both orally and in writing. (CE10, CE11, CE12)

At the end of the course the student must be able to:

  • Explain the fundamental concepts of an automatic system and describe the main technologies used.
  • Recognize and explain the operation of the fundamental elements and circuits of electrical wiring logic, as well as draw and interpret their diagrams.
  • Recognize and explain the operation of the fundamental elements of pneumatic installations, as well as draw and interpret their diagrams.
  • Describe the architecture of a PLC, the connection of the various types of input and output devices and the operation of its operating cycle.
  • Use program editing and communication software with PLCs.
  • Program, simulate and test the operation of simple automation applications with PLCs using basic instructions, timers and counters.
  • Use the Grafcet methodology as a tool to plan the programming of the PLC in sequential automations.

Working methodology

The course consists of 4 hours per week, 2 of which are with large group and 2 hours are with small group.

In the large group classes in the classroom the theoretical subject will be developed, alternating the exposition of theoretical concepts and the resolution of exercises.

Small group classes correspond to laboratory practices or exercise resolution.

In the laboratory students will work in groups of 2 or 3 people.

Students will have documentation to follow the subject: notes, exercises and internship script.

Students will have to dedicate additional non-contact time to the study, completion of assignments, resolution of exercises, previous assignments and reports of the practices, as well as to the preparation of the written tests.

Contents

Content title 1:

Wired logic

Description

Introduction to automation.

Introduction to electrical automation.

Devices.

Electric motor control automations.

Related activities

Classes of theoretical explanation with resolution of exercises. Large group.

Practice 1: Wired logic. Small group.

Resolution and presentation of exercises and works. Non-contact activity.

Final Exam. Large group.

 

Content title 2:

Programmable automata

Description

Introduction to programmable automata.

Architecture of programmable automata.

Sensors and actuators. Connection of inputs and outputs.

Operation of programmable automata.

Programming in contact diagram language (ladder).

Basic bit instructions.

Timers and counters.

Introduction to Rockwell Automation Logix drivers.

CompactLogix and ControlLogix practice teams.

Logix project configuration.

Related activities

Classes of theoretical explanation with resolution of exercises. Large group.

Practice 2: Bit instructions. Small group.

Practice 3: Connecting an engine. Small group.

Practice 4: Timers and counters. Small group.

Resolution and presentation of exercises and works. Non-contact activity.

Final Exam. Large group.

 

Content title 3:

Programming applications with programmable automata

Description

Introduction to RSLogix5000 software.

Grafcet

Emulator.

Application exercises: Various automation exercises (include motors, machines, traffic lights, automatic doors, etc.).

Practices from 5 to 20.

Related activities

Classes of theoretical explanation with resolution of exercises. Large group.

Theoretical resolution of the exercise (grafcet + ladder). Non-contact activity.

Automata programming. Connections. Operation simulation. Checking the correct operation. Small group.

Final Exam. Large group.

 

Content title 4:

Pneumatics

Description

Elements of a pneumatic installation.

Cylinders, valves and sensors.

Pneumatic diagrams.

Related activities

Classes of theoretical explanation with resolution of exercises. Large group.

Practice 14: Pneumatic folder. Small group.

Practice 15: Pneumatic model. Small group.

Final Exam. Large group.

Learning activities

Activity title 1:

Jobs

General description

Works on the contents of topics 1 (Wired logic) and 4 (Pneumatics).

Support material

The work statement contains the questions to be developed.

Deliverable and links to the evaluation

The work is a writable delivery.

Each of these two assignments represents 10% of the course grade.

Specific objectives

At the end of the activity the student must be able to:

Explain the definition, type, constitution, characteristics and operation of the main devices used in electrical automation and pneumatic installations.

Correctly represent electrical diagrams and pneumatic diagrams.

 

Activity title 2:

Internships

General description

The internship script contains 20 internships to complete throughout the course.

The practices are related to the theoretical topics of the subject.

Wired logic practice consists of assembling the maneuvering and power circuits of three asynchronous motor control automations using wired logic practice equipment and three-phase induction motors.

Internships with PLCs are essentially PLC programming. The equipment of practices of the programmable controllers allow to check the operation of the application programmed by means of switches and leds. In some practices (not all) it is required to connect the actual devices to the inputs and outputs of the PLC.

The practice with the pneumatic model consists of the assembly of the pneumatic circuit of power and the control of the application by means of the programmable controller, which includes the programming and the electrical connections between the controller and the pneumatic model.

All practices are validated by checking that their operation conforms exactly to the specifications of the statement.

It is necessary to deliver a later report of each practice with all the work developed by the student to arrive to solve the exercise; this may include connection diagrams, the grafcet representation, and the ladder program, as well as appropriate explanations.

Support material

Laboratory equipment.

Practice scripts.

Manuals of the equipment used.

Deliverable and links to the evaluation

Previous work.

Validation of internships.

Internship reports.

The qualification of the practices represents 30% of the note of the course.

Specific objectives

At the end of the activity the student must be able to:

Make the various equipment used in the practices work correctly, connect them and interconnect them.

Use correctly the programming and communication software of programmable controllers.

Check the operation of the programmed application.

 

Activity title 3:

Final Exam

General description

Evaluation test of the contents developed throughout the course.

Support material

Statement of the test.

Deliverable and links to the evaluation

Test resolution.

The grade of the test represents 50% of the grade of the course.

Specific objectives

At the end of the activity the student must be able to:

Explain theoretical concepts and solve exercises corresponding to the topics of the whole course.

 

Evaluation system

The final exam must be passed to pass the course. In this case, the final grade of the subject will be calculated with the marks of the evaluable activities according to the following weighting:

Jobs: 20%

Internships: 30%

Final Exam: 50%

The works are individual.

Laboratory practices are mandatory.

Internship reports (per group) must be submitted on the date indicated.

The resit exam will allow you to retake only activity 3 (Final Exam). In this case, the maximum grade of the subject will be a 5.

REFERENCES

Basic

Manuals of the equipment used in the practices.

Safont Sisa, Robert. Automation Notes. 2018.

Complementary

Mandado Pérez, Enrique et al. "Programmable Automata and Automation Systems". 1st ed. Marcombo. 2009. ISBN 8426715753.

Mandado Pérez, Enrique et al. "Programmable Automata. Environment and Applications". 1st ed. Paraninfo. 2004. ISBN 8497323289.