At the end of the course the student will be asked to: • remember the main devices of an automatic system • understand the problems involved in the automation of a process and implement the most suitable programming technique • analyse also complex problems concerning automation by simplification in single phases • implement in a programmable logic controller (PLC) the program • apply the knowledge on control systems in order to set-up simple closed loop control systems.

Previous knowledge on applied mechanics is requested. Base knowledge on pneumatics and control on mechanical systems is also appreciated.

The lessons will be delivered according to the following modules. 1) Introduction to automation 2) Automation devices 3) Logical algebra 4) Programmable Logic Controllers 5) PLC: working principles and programming 6) Design techniques of automatic discrete control systems 7) SFC language 8) Continuous control systems 9) Fuzzy control systems 10) Digital acquisition systems

Laboratory activities: 1) Pressure control in a reservoir 2) Fuzzy control of an inverted pendulum 3) PLC programming in Ladder language

The subject is organized in 62 hours of lessons, 9 hours of class tutorials and 9 hours of practical lab modules. The lessons will be carried out alternating moments of knowledge transmission with moments that facilitate the active learning, for example with the proposal of exercises or multiple answers questions for self assessment. Instruments such as wooclap or padlet will help the interaction between students and teacher. The class tutorials are organized in groups; each group will work on real problems and students will have to translate in ladder language the specifications required for the problem. The lab modules will concern three main topics of the course: • fuzzy control of an inverse pendulum on cart • Ladder and SFC programming of PLC • open and closed loop control of the pressure in a reservoir with PLC.

V.Viktorov, F.Colombo, "Automation of mechanical systems: base course", CLUT.

Lecture slides;

Exam: Written test; Group project;

The exam will verify the knowledge of the student on the theoretical topics encountered in lessons and the ability in solving exercises. Open or multiple answers questions will be proposed, together with exercises during a written exam of 2 hours duration. The exam is intended to verify the learning outcomes of the course, which are essentially the capacity to program in ladder language a PLC in order to be able to operate in real problems. During the exam it is not allowed to consult books or other support material. The calculator is needed. No oral examinations are scheduled. The maximum score of the written examination is 27. This score will be summed with the score of the report about the programming group activities carried out in classroom (min 0 points, max +6 points).

In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.