Automation plays great role in contemporary industries. Through the century of twentieth it has been evolved from simple sequential control to the complicated electronics systems. Now it is hard to imagine a factory without numerically controlled machines, robots and PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). Fast economic growth, searching for new, clearer technologies are the main factors of progress in the industry. Because production becomes more efficient, then controllers become faster and more complicated. Passing over the group of specialized controllers, the most of programmable logic controllers used in industry are modular. In that manner they are more flexible in application.
Contemporary industrial trends require preparation of new engineers that can cope with certain tasks from designing a system, through code development, to set the whole process in motion. Ht Engineering Processes Automation and Integrated Manufacturing Systems Institute at the Mechanical Engineering Faculty have five laboratories, where students can evolve their skills. One of these is the laboratory of sensors and industrial network. At the laboratory room several types of industrial networks, like AS-1, Profibus, CAN, CC-Link, MelsecNet and Ethernet are installed. Another meaning system is distributed control based on Profibus network, used in transportation system. Student also has to their disposal several types of programmable logic controllers manufactured by Siemens, GE, Mitsubishi and Fanuc.
Other equipment is control panel and visualization, frequency processors, network and PLC expansion modules. The laboratory is intended for individual work of scientific staff and students in following manner:
• Realization of semestral work
• Realization of BSc Eng and MSc Eng thesis
• Realization of PhD dissertations
• Individual evolve of students skills within the confines of scientific circles
A lot of laboratory equipment has been manufactured by Mitsubishi Corporation, it is mostly used by scientific staff and students. Some concepts of use of the Mitsubishi PLCs during realization are shown on the syllabus.