Selected Chapters in Automation

• PLC programming (structured text, program organization units, sequence controls)

• CAD knowledge

• Basics of network technology (TCP/IP)

Robotics

• Basic concepts of robotics (robot coordinate system, payload diagram, workspace, etc.)
• Description of pose by means of homogeneous transformation matrices
• Forward transformation, backward transformation, singularity
• PTP movement, CP movement, linear interpolation, corner path

Pneumatics

• Basics of pneumatics, symbols, air pressure generation
• Pneumatic controls, electropneumatics
• Differences between pneumatic and hydraulic systems
• Laboratory exercises: Pneumatic and electro-pneumatic control of a cylinder, sequence control for a transfer system.

Physics simulation

• System simulation, virtual commissioning
• Laboratory exercise: virtual commissioning of a gantry robot using simulation software and a soft PLC

Digital Factory

• Industrial network protocols (e.g. OPC UA)
• Security, HMI, SCADA
• Tutorial: Connection of a model factory to a SCADA system

The contents and learning outcomes of this course are adapted annually to current trends and new developments in automation technology.

All contents and learning outcomes planned in the first round are:

Robotics

• The students can explain basic terms of robotics.
• The students can describe the pose of coordinate systems using homogeneous transformation matrices.
• Students can perform transformations between robot and world coordinates.
• Students can explain different types of motion.

Pneumatics

• Students can explain the basic symbols and components of pneumatics.
• Students can develop pneumatic and electro-pneumatic controls for industrial processes.

Physics Simulation

• Students can use simulation systems to carry out a virtual commissioning of an automation process.

Digital Factory

• Students can use SCADA systems to monitor and optimise the efficiency of automation processes.

• Lectures
• Laboratory exercises

• Written exam
• Laboratory protocol

None

• Craig, John (2018): Introduction to robotics: mechanics and control. Fourth. New York, NY: Pearson.
• Weber, Wolfgang (2019): Industrieroboter: Methoden der Steuerung und Regelung. 4., aktualisierte Auflage. München: Hanser.
• Frank Ebel et. al. (2017): Basic principles of pneumatics and electropneumatics: Texbook. 3rd edition. Festo Didactic.
• Watter, Holger (2015): Hydraulik und Pneumatik. Wiesbaden: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden.
• Featherstone, Roy (2016): Rigid Body Dynamics Algorithms. Springer Publishing Company, Incorporated.
• Yáñez, F.; Brea, F.Y. (2017): The 20 Key Technologies of Industry 4. 0 and Smart Factories: The Road to the Digital Factory of the Future. Independently Published.

• Knapp, E.D.; Langill, J. (2014): Industrial Network Security: Securing Critical Infrastructure Networks for Smart Grid, SCADA, and Other Industrial Control Systems. Elsevier Science.

Face-to-face instruction, partly with mandatory attendance