EEE8150 : Industrial Automation, PLCs and Robotics
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Kristopher Smith
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module aims to give an overview of Industrial Automation and Control. to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of advanced control systems and robotics, emphasizing theoretical foundations, simulated applications, and hands-on laboratory experiences. Several industrial control methods are explored such as: PLCs, Fuzzy Control, PID Controller Design and Robotic operation.
Outline Of Syllabus
The curriculum is designed to progress from fundamental concepts to advanced applications, covering topics such as:
On-Off Control : Background to Relay-based Control Systems
Programmable Logic Controllers(PLCs) - Programming and Laboratory based design work
Modelling & Control of Linear Systems: P,PI,PID Controllers. Zeigler Nicholls Tuning Fuzzy Sets and Fuzzy Control Systems – Theory, Design and Application
Nonlinear Systems : Simple Pendulum, Inverted pendulum, Interconnected Tanks
Introduction to Robotics Control, leading to application of Denavit-Hartenberg
Access to New Robotic Laboratory (aspiring to get students in the STB Robotic Lab with newly purchased £300k UR3e Robotic Arms)
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | Review lecture notes and after class tutorials (2hr per lecture). |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | 11 x 1hr review/tutorial/teaching |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Assessment January (100% module) |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 49:00 | 49:00 | Revision for Assessment (approx. 2hr per lecture) and completion of formative assessment. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | Practical Robotic Lab to support Lectures (class numbers /lab capacity dependent) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 3 | 2:00 | 6:00 | MATLAB (3 x 2hr per lab) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Robotics Lab. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 104:00 | 104:00 | Reviewing tutorials, lectures and MATLAB session. |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures provides the core theoretical knowledge (Knowledge) [M1,M2]. The MATLAB SDL sessions are used to apply the knowledge to some practical scenarios to solidify the fundamental understanding (Application) [M5,M12]. The PLC Laboratory sessions provide an opportunity to gain practical experience and validate the ladder logic theory introduced in lectures (Application) [M5, M12]
The Final Written Exam tests that the learning outcomes have been achieved with questioning. (Analysis & Synthesis) [M3].
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 1 | A | 100 | Closed Book |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | Online multiple choice exercise. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The Written Exam requires knowledge of the material presented in the Lectures and MATLAB SDL sessions. The in person Written Exam requires the knowledge of applications, understanding of course content and requires explanation/solving industrial problems. Students need to pass this online summative assessment to pass the module [M1,M2,M3,M5,M6].
Formative Assessment will take place in class as a multiple choice exercise. Feedback solutions will be provided for this to gauge knowledge and understanding and help students prepare for summative assessments.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- EEE8150's Timetable