Walter Boles

walter.boles@mtsu.edu

Walter Boles

Engineering Technology

Discipline specific equipment

VET 118

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The Mechatronics Engineering program at MTSU (now well over 100 students in the second year) requires students to be knowledgeable and skilled in design and control of industrial automated processes. This expertise is also a strict requirement of Siemens Level 3 certification. The proposed Process Automation system is a combination of 3 or 4 stations that simulate an industrial process such as temperature, pressure, level, and pH control in a liquid-based production facility. This system allows students to study process control, optimization, safety issues, and be able to design and test a customized process. The system is equipped with industrial grade sensors, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), and Proportional Integral Differential (PID) controllers. This equipment is one of the several vital requirements for the MTSU Mechatronics Program to become a Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification Program. Acquisition of this equipment will allow MTSU to apply for the certification, which is an important benchmark and will likely be the first program to do so in the nation. Since this system has many aspects and features, it can easily be used as an effective tool in many courses. This system will be used in the following courses. ENGR2100-Introduction to Engineering Design ENGR3550-Fluid Mechanics ENGR4510-PLC and Networking ENGR4530-Control and optimization No specific installation or power connection is required. It uses 110VAC, and 100-psi air (available). The system can be disassembled easily go thru a typical 36 in. doorway. No maintenance agreement is required.