Course detail
Machine and Process Control
FSI-ZAE Acad. year: 2025/2026 Summer semester
The course introduces students to the ways of controlling the various machines and processes. Students will gain practical experience with control systems based on Arduino development boards and PLC from B&R Company. Students will program the control in open and closed loop for various dynamic systems. The course also includes an introduction to photovoltaic power plant technology and their control.
Supervisor
Department
Learning outcomes of the course unit
Prerequisites
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes
Language of instruction
Czech
Aims
Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences
The study programmes with the given course
Programme N-KSI-P: Mechanical Engineering Design, Master's
branch ---: no specialisation, 5 credits, compulsory
Type of course unit
Lecture
16 hours, optionally
Syllabus
- Automation systems (reasons for use, demands and safety).
- Structure of automation system (instrumentation subsytem, GUI, control subsystem).
- Basic strategy of control (open and closed loop control, application of PID controller)
- Division and abilities of individual types of automation systems (SCADA, microcontrollers, functions of OS)
- Interface of control systems (inputs/outputs, communication buses)
- Industrial drives (division, ways of control, control efficiency, suitability according to the target application)
- Photovoltaic Power Plants – Principle and Control Methods with regard to Maximum Efficiency
Laboratory exercise
32 hours, compulsory
Syllabus
Arduino block:
- Control of digital and analog inputs/outputs.
- Data sending over communication bus.
- Control of alfanumeric LCD.
- Control of servomotors.
- Obtaining measured values from sensors (ultrasound, accelerometer, position sensor).
- Open-loop control.
- Closed/loop control (stabiliser, autonomous vehicle).
PLC block:
- Starting the project, introduction to development environment.
- LAN connection, identification and definition of HW.
- Programming of simple automation tasksin Structured Text programming language.
- Visualization.
- Control of master-slave servodrives.
- Team work on one complex automation task.