scholarly journals PHYSICAL AND VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT FOR AUTOMATION EDUCATION ENGINEERS AND TECHNICIANS PART 1: ENGINEERING AN AUTOMATED RECYCLING FACILITY FOR BOTTLES AND CANS

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Brousseau ◽  
Denis Paradis ◽  
Abderrazak El Ouafi ◽  
Suzie Loubert
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Programmable Logic ◽  
Performance Tests ◽  
Automated Production ◽  
Automation And Control ◽  
The University ◽  
And Control

Nowadays, production equipments are controlled by programmable logic controllers (PLC) that can communicate over Ethernet. The technicians and engineers of the industry work together in order to develop, support, diagnose, solve, and optimize automated production systems. Current technology has attained such a level of sophistication that it is now possible to interact with a machine without having to move from ones chair. Faced by these observations, the Université du Québec à Rimouski(UQAR), the Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup, and Premier Tech Company, a world leader in the field of bagging equipment, have decided to join forces in order to improve the training of future engineers and technicians in the field of Industrial Automation and Control. The aim of the project is to allow university and CEGEP (college) students to work together on practical problems while being in two separate sites. The first step consists of designing an automated mini plant for the recycling of containers. The mini plant, designed and manufactured by UQAR's engineering students, has been installed in the CEGEP building located 100 km away from the University. The aim of the following step is to create a virtual environment allowing the follow up and visualization of the mini plant, to diagnose problems from a remote location, etc. Finally, the project focus on the development of training situation scenarios related to breakdown diagnostics, parameter adjustments, performance tests, security aspects, and process optimization. This article offers an overview of the project and of the mini plant as designed by the engineering students of UQAR.

scholarly journals Emulation Methodology of Programmable Logic Controllers for Cybersecurity Applications

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Fasano ◽  
Christopher Lamb ◽  
Mohamed El Genk ◽  
Timothy Schriener ◽  
Andrew Hahn
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Digital Signatures ◽  
Programmable Logic ◽  
Pressurized Water ◽  
Real Hardware ◽  
Water Reactors ◽  
Power Studies ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The University ◽  
And Control

Abstract A programmable logic controller (PLC) emulation methodology can dramatically reduce the cost of high-fidelity operational technology (OT) network emulation without compromising specific functionality. A PLC emulation methodology is developed as part of an ongoing effort at the University of New Mexico’s Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies (UNM-ISNPS) in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) to develop an emulytic™ platform to support cybersecurity analyses of the instrumentation and control (I&C) systems of pressurized water reactors (PWRs). This methodology identifies and characterizes key physical and digital signatures of interest. The obtained and displayed digital signatures include the network response, traffic, and software version, while the selected physical signatures include the actuation response time and sampling time. An extensive validation analysis is performed to characterize the signatures of the real, hardware-based PLC and the emulated PLC. These signatures are then compared to quantify differences and identify optimum settings for the emulation fidelity.

scholarly journals PLC Automation and Control Strategy in a Stirling Solar Power System

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1917 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan-Adrian Mocanu ◽  
Viorel Bădescu ◽  
Ciprian Bucur ◽  
Iuliana Ștefan ◽  
Elena Carcadea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Control Strategy ◽  
Automation System ◽  
Programmable Logic ◽  
Solar Concentrator ◽  
Automation And Control ◽  
Conversion Unit ◽  
Solar Conversion ◽  
Working Parameters ◽  
And Control

The Stirling engine together with a solar concentrator represents a solution for increasing energy efficiency. Thus, within the National Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies, an automation system was designed and implemented in order to control the processes inside the solar conversion unit using a programmable logic controller from Schneider Electric. The acquired parameters from the installed sensors were monitored using Unity Pro L software. The main objective of this paper is to solve the starting, operating, and shut-down sequences in safe conditions, as well as monitor the working parameters.

scholarly journals An Enabling Open-Source Technology for Development and Prototyping of Production Systems by Applying Digital Twinning

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Robert Kazała ◽  
Sławomir Luściński ◽  
Paweł Strączyński ◽  
Albena Taneva
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Digital Twin ◽  
Twin System ◽  
Digital Twins ◽  
First Choice ◽  
Automation And Control ◽  
And Control

This article presents the most valuable and applicable open-source tools and communication technologies that may be employed to create models of production processes by applying the concept of Digital Twins. In recent years, many open-source technologies, including tools and protocols, have been developed to create virtual models of production systems. The authors present the evolution and role of the Digital Twin concept as one of the key technologies for implementing the Industry 4.0 paradigm in automation and control. Based on the presented structured review of valuable open-source software dedicated to various phases and tasks that should be realised while creating the whole Digital Twin system, it was demonstrated that the available solutions cover all aspects. However, the dispersion, specialisation, and lack of integration cause this software to usually not be the first choice to implement DT. Therefore, to successfully create full-fledged models of Digital Twins by proceeding with proposed open-source solutions, it is necessary to make additional efforts due to integration requirements.

scholarly journals A NEW COURSE ON COMPUTING FOR SMALL SPACECRAFT ENGINEERING

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Witold Kinsner
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Students ◽  
Attitude Determination ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Computer Engineering ◽  
Graduate Course ◽  
Small Satellites ◽  
Small Spacecraft ◽  
New Research ◽  
The University ◽  
And Control

The trend towards smaller and less expensive spacecraft continues. The University of Manitoba has participated in the design and implementation of a triple-pico-satellite (code TSat) since 2010, with over 100 undergraduate and graduate students from five faculties and 16 departments, as well as 50 advisors from academia, aerospace industries, business, military, and government. Such small satellites are used for atmospheric study and testing of new research concepts such as new forms of data communications, and constellations of space robots. A graduate course on small spacecraft engineering has recently been developed to address the needs of many students in this area. The course provides foundations for the design, implementation and testing of nano-, pico- and femto-satellites. The topics cover the anatomy of a small spacecraft, its design process with the specific design of its mission and payload, orbital mechanics, spacecraft subsystems, and mission operations handling. The specific subsystems include (i) attitude determination and control (ADC), (ii) telemetry, tracking, and command (TTC), (iii) command and data handling (CDH), (iii) power (PWR), (iv) thermal (TRM), (v) structures (STR), and (vi) guidance and navigation (GAV) [1-3]. Emphasis is given to the algorithms and computing tools for such small satellites. The basis for modeling and simulation is the Systems Tool Kit (STK) from Analytical Graphics Incorporated (AGI). The course is supported by our experience in developing the TSat1 nano-satellite. This paper describes the structure of the course, the methodology used, the set of topics covered, the set of course projects, and the lessons learned from the delivery of this unique course. Although the course is now intended for electrical and computer engineering students only, its scope will be expanded to accommodate mechanical and other engineering students.

scholarly journals UNIVERSITY-LEVEL DESIGN ENGINEERING CHALLENGES WITH STUDENT FEEDBACK

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Bazylak ◽  
Peter Wild
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Students ◽  
Interdisciplinary Teams ◽  
Student Feedback ◽  
First Year ◽  
Design Engineering ◽  
Electromagnetic Model ◽  
University Level ◽  
The University ◽  
Academic Year

The Design Engineering Challenge Series is a set of design events organized by the University of Victoria Design Engineering Office to enhance the undergraduate student design experience. The first of the two events run in the series was the First Year Design Engineering Challenge. This event challenged first year engineering students to design and construct a microcontroller-directed electromagnetic model crane, in a single day. The second event had students from across campus working in interdisciplinary teams to design video games. Both events were extremely successful with follow up events planned for the next academic year.

scholarly journals Follow-up Comparison of the Effect of Eight-weeks Corrective Exercises With and Without Myofascial Release on Postural Kyphosis Deformity

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Seyed Hossein Mousavi ◽  
◽  
Hooman Minoonejad ◽  
Reza Rajabi ◽  
Foad Seidi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Thoracic Kyphosis ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Myofascial Release ◽  
Post Test ◽  
The University ◽  
And Control

Introduction: The present research aimed to compare and follow-up the effect of 8-week corrective exercises with and without the myofascial release on functional kyphosis deformity in young adults. Methods: It was a randomized controlled trial in the university laboratory. Forty-five male students suffering from abnormal hyperkyphosis deformity (kyphosis of more than 42°) were selected and randomly assigned to three groups: corrective exercises, combinational exercises (corrective and myofascial release), and control. The Mean±SD age, height, and weight of the study sample were 22.12±2.88 years, 175.44±6.80 cm, and 71.21±7.31 kg, respectively. The study groups did the exercises for 8 weeks, under the direct observation of the researchers. The kyphosis angle of the participants was measured using a flexible ruler, at the baseline, post-test, and follow-up (4 weeks after the end of the exercises) stages. The collected data were analyzed with repeated measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) tests. Results: After 8 weeks of exercises, the degree of kyphosis in the post-test and follow-up stages was significantly lower than that in the pre-test, in both training groups. The results of the ANCOVA test demonstrated that the thoracic kyphosis degree in the combinational exercises group was significantly lower than that of the corrective exercises group (P≤0.05), in the post-test and follow-up stages. Conclusion: According to the results, the corrective exercises program in combination with the myofascial release is more effective than the corrective exercises alone, in correcting the thoracic kyphosis deformity.

From Research to Didactics: The Course of Dynamics and Control of Fluid Machines for Automation Engineering Students

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Venturini ◽  
M. Morini
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Behavior ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Student Evaluation ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Student Feedback ◽  
System Control ◽  
Control Logic ◽  
Dynamics And Control ◽  
The University ◽  
And Control

The paper deals with the course “Dynamics and Control of Fluid Machines”, which has been held at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Ferrara (Italy) since the academic year 2002/2003 for the Second-Level Degree Course in Computer Sciences and Automation Engineering. The aim of the course is the study of fluid machines, by combining base knowledge with physical-mathematical analysis of the unsteady behavior and of off-design operating conditions. The first characteristic aspect of the course is the study of the dynamic behavior of fluid machines. The second relevant aspect is the analysis of system control. In this paper, course characteristics are presented and discussed. In particular, as a part of the final examination, students are asked to develop an individual project, whose results are also reported in this paper. The project consists of the simulation of the dynamic behavior of an industrial system for compressed air production by means of a multistage centrifugal compressor. Students are required to properly design the controller and to discuss the adopted control logic. Student feedback is evaluated by means of a survey conducted to evaluate the quality of the didactic activity. The analysis of student feedback reveals that student evaluation towards the course proves higher than the “average” evaluation for the didactic activity held at the University of Ferrara, at the Faculty of Engineering or within the same Degree Course.

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