Laboratory Activities in Industrial Sequential Automation through a Virtual and Physical Environment

Abstract

 Abstract—The present project is intending as a new training approach based on the communication technology and the interaction between future engineers and technicians students. The first phase of the global project was consisted of developing of an automated mini-plant for containers recycling process and was realized by engineering students attending the project-based design courses. The second phase is consisting in development of the virtual environment allowing interactions between the students and between the students and the mini-plant. A laboratory activity has been conducted on the modules of the mini-plant. Future engineers and technicians have the mission to design, program and troubleshoot while they are working simultaneously. The obtained results demonstrate that the engineers and technicians students communicate effectively but they have different skills and competences. The training objectives have been achieved and the learned lessons will be exploited to enhance the training level and the competences in the future. engineers and technician to rapid technological changes in automation systems. A relevant solution can be based on training by providing required skills to future engineers and technicians training. In fact, their academic contents also have to be constantly modernized to track current technologies and future trends. Aware to the training quality, the Universite du Que bec a Rimouski (UQAR), the Ce gep de Rivie re du-Loup (CEGEP) and the Premier Tech Company (PTS), a world leader in the bagging equipment field, have decided to join forces in order to improve the training of future engineers and technicians in Industrial Automation field.