The main objective is the study of the automation of mechanical industrial production systems. The concentration will be on the control circuits and devices (electronic, electromechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic) needed to actuate the overall system (with the stress on binary control).
The student should acquire knowledge: on the different industrial components available, as also its characteristics, to use on different automation tasks; on the project, analysis and implementation of automatic systems in special by using pneumatic or hydraulic actuation systems.
Sensorial components: transducers, sensors.
Actuation components: pneumatic, electromechanical and hydraulic.
Control components: Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs).
Programming PLCs: Ladder, Grafcet, Instruction List.
Boolean algebra.
Simplification of binary functions.
State diagrams, time diagrams.
CPU.
Operator and programming terminals.
Digital input/output modules.
Special modules: analogue, communication, fast counters, etc...
Ladder programming language
Instruction list
Grafcet/Sequential Function Chart.
PLC Functions: timers, counters, comparison instructions, reading and writing, arithmetic, Set/Reset.
General considerations about the elaboration of PLC programs
Programming analogue modules.
Fluid characteristics: pressure, flow rate, power.
Production and distribution of compressed air: compressors, pipes, filters, lubrificators.
Pneumatic actuators: cylinders, motors, vane actuators.
Actuator driving components: directional valves, pressure control valves, flow control valves.
Project and analysis of pneumatic systems: typical examples.
Characteristics of the fluids used on oil-hydraulics.
Hydraulic power generation: Pumps, accumulators, pressure multipliers.
Hydraulic actuators (linear and rotary): cylinders, motors, vane actuators.
Hydraulic valves: directional valves, pressure control valves, flow control valves.
Project and analysis of hydraulic systems: typical examples.
The program contents are presented in the theoretical lectures.
In the laboratory lectures the students have to perform several laboratory works with industrial equipment, namely with Programmable Logic Controllers, industrial sensors, pneumatic and hydraulic equipment.
The evaluation have two main components: A theoretical component (written examination) and a practical component (several laboratory works).
The final classification is given by the formula:
Final classification = Theoretical component x 70% + Practical component x 30%
Basic knowledge of electricity, instrumentation and programming languages.
· David w. Pessen . Industrial automation - Circuit design & components. Jonh wiley, 1989.
· W.bolton. Mechatronics, electronic control systems in mechanical engineering.
· James t. Humphries, leslie p. Sheets. Electrónica industrial ,dispositivos, máquinas y sistemas de potencia industrial. Editorial parainfo.
· Michael j. Pinches, Brian J,. Callear. Power pneumatics. Prentice-hall, 1996
· Herbert Taub. Circuitos digitais e Microprocessadores, McGrawhill.
· The PLC workbook: programmable logic controllers made easy. Prentice hall, 1996
· John w. Webb, Ronald A. Reis. Programmable logic controllers, principles and applications. 3rd ed. Prentice Hall, 1995
· António Francisco. Autómatos Programáveis. ETEP – Edições Técnicas Profissionais, 2002.