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LP20249: Automation, control and PLCs

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2013/4
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Mechanical Engineering (administered by the Learning Partnerships Office)
Further information on credits Credits: 5
Further information on unit levels Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 1 at Bridgwater College
Semester 1 at Chichester College
Semester 1 at Swindon College
Further information on unit assessment Assessment: EX 40%, PR 60%
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
The aims of this unit are to enable students to acquire the knowledge and skills to apply programmable logic control (PLC) techniques in simple control systems and describe their use in automated control systems.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the unit students should be able to:
* describe the function and operation of PLC systems;
* use PLC programming techniques;
* apply PLC programming techniques to the control of automated systems;
* describe the operation and use of modern sensors and their use in control systems;
* model automated control systems.

Skills:
During this unit students should gain the following skills:
Intellectual
* gathering, processing and analysing technical information (A)
* formulating outcomes (A)
* evaluating the performance of a PLC controlled production system (F,A)
Professional
* using information technology effectively (F,A)
* using PLC programming techniques (F,A)
Practical
* developing identification and observational skills to maintain records and contribute to reports (T,A)
* applying problem solving techniques to a simple control system (F,A)
Key
* writing reports (A)
* application of number (F,A).

Content:
This unit concentrates on:
* investigating the design and operational characteristics of typical PLCs;
* applying logic functions to produce PLC programs;
* using PLC programming techniques to manage automatic control systems;
* describing the operation of modern sensors for measuring pressure, temperature, level and flow;
* describing signal processing and conditioning techniques;
* analysing automated systems using block diagrams with and without feedback.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

LP20249 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Programmes administered by the Learning Partnerships Office
  • UEME-HPF44 : FdSc Engineering Systems (Part-time at Swindon College) - Year 3
  • UEME-RFF44 : FdSc Engineering Systems (Full-time at Bridgwater College) - Year 2
  • UEME-RPF44 : FdSc Engineering Systems (Part-time at Bridgwater College) - Year 3
  • UEME-SFF44 : FdSc Engineering Systems (Full-time at Chichester College) - Year 2

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2013/4 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2014/15 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2013/14.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.