Education 4.0: Remote Learning and Experimenting in Laboratory for Automation

Abstract

Abstract Experimental laboratory equipment for automation technology and mechatronics is always associated with high costs. The reason for the high investments are the costs for different intelligent devices within an automation solution and the costs for extensive engineering. Beyond the costs, the number of workstations usually does not correspond to the required number of students to be trained. In this case, the same exercises have to be repeated several times, which also leads to increased personnel costs. Web-based laboratories are a very cost-effective solution to these problems. This paper describes how this goal can be achieved by implementing a WBT server (WBT - Web-Based Training Server) and a Java-based client-server architecture. The idea behind a remote controlled laboratory is to use web technologies and the Internet as communication infrastructure to perform an experimental part of the training with programmable automation devices.First of all, a detailed requirement profile for the laboratory was developed. Primarily technical, didactical and organizational requirements are concerned. In addition, the laboratory is to improve the education of the students by interactive, problem-oriented learning on real industrial automation components. The aim of the training is to learn suitable working methods for the design (engineering) of complete automation solutions starting from simple to medium complex machines and plants.There are 20 workstations available with the following automation components: Sensors, detectors, encoders and RFID switches for data detection Programmable logic control (PLC) for data processing Human Machine Interface Velocity speed driver and Motion driver Smart meter for energy efficiency Ethernet Network and CANOpen as machine bus Programming and SCADA software KeywordsAutomationIndustry 4.0Remote education