NSF Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement: Computer Control Laboratory

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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.