NSF Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement: Computer Control Laboratory

综合自动化计算机控制实验室工作 系统必须解决分布式控制的问题， 通信网络。 实验室目前的工作重点 计算机控制课程是设备级的。 的意图 这个项目围绕着等级制度来重组课程， 控制概念。 对学生的影响是 自动化中的计算机控制。 有了这个新 专注，学生将展示整合能力 独立控制的设备变成完整的自动化系统。 学生将通过开发来学习通信的基础知识 控制系统的通信规则。 这些规则将 用于控制由各种机器组成的工作中心 例如机器人和机床。学生们的下一步是 来控制整个车间 这些进展将通过收购新的 实验室设备. 两个主要的设备需求是 计算机网络和计算机工作站。 网络 在控制系统中提供通信所必需的。 工作站将用于两种方式：（1）提供 学生和系统之间的接口，以及（2） 模拟物理设备，如机床，熔炉， 输送机等，这些输送机太大且昂贵， 实验室设施。

Laboratory work in computer control of integrated automated systems must address the issues of distributed control and communication networks. The current focus of the laboratory course in computer control is at device level. The intent of this project to restructure the course around hierarchical control concepts. The impact on the student is a change in perspective on computer control in automation. With this new focus, students will demonstrate an ability to integrate individually controlled devices into complete, automated systems. Students will learn the basics of communications by developing communication rules for control systems. These rules will be used to control work centers consisting of a variety of machines such as robots and machine tools. The next step for students is to control an entire factory floor. These advances will be made through the acquisition of new laboratory equipment. The two main equipment needs are a computer network and computer workstations. The network is necessary to provide communications in the control system. Workstations will be used in two ways: (1) to provide an interface between from the student and the system and (2) to emulate physical devices such as machine tools, furnaces, conveyors, and the like, which are too large and expensive for the laboratory facility.