Description
This unit presents a structured approach to the development of advanced electronic solutions in a range of industrial situations. An essential requirement here is the engineer’s ability to utilise the most appropriate technology for each application, to ensure the most efficient monitoring and control of variables such as pressure, temperature and speed.
Among the topics included in this unit are techniques and applications of electrical and electronic engineering, as they apply to various branches of industry, such as component handling, controlling the speed or torque of a motor or responding to change of circumstances in a process.
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to describe system elements and consider their overall characteristics. This provides opportunity for analytically assessing the accuracy and repeatability of electronic instruments.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit students will be able to:
1. Describe the main elements of an electronically controlled industrial system.
Fundamental concepts of industrial systems:
Discrete control
Input and output devices; open and closed loop systems
Describe the system elements and the principles and applications of important and representative AC and DC motors
2. Identify and specify the interface requirements between electronic, electrical and mechanical transducers and controllers.
Interfacing and transducers:
Discrete automation using relays and solenoids, AC and DC motors, pneumatic, hydraulic and electrical actuators, and other transducers and devices for measuring and comparing physical parameters
Interfacing between electrical, electronic and mechanical transducers
Practical measurement using sensors and transducers, process actuators for temperature and pressure control
3. Apply practical and computer-based methods to design and test a measurement system.
System modelling and analysis:
The use of transfer functions to help predict the behaviour and constancy of an industrial process, including accuracy, resolution and tolerances, repeatability and stability, sensitivity and response time
Dealing with error and uncertainty in industrial systems
Use of computer packages in measurement and control, and dealing with uncertainty and errors in systems
4. Apply appropriate analytical techniques to predict the performance of a given system.
Consideration of current trends in technology, including the future of industrial systems, the impact of digital developments, the increase of wireless and remote control and the Internet of Things