Course detail

Machine and Process Control

FSI-ZAEAcad. year: 2025/2026

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.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Ing. Zbyněk Strecker, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Machine and Industrial Design (ÚK)

Entry knowledge

- knowledge of electrotechnics and electronics, math, physics and automation on the bachelor level of mechanical engineering studies.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

conditions for passing graded assessment:
- completing of assigned tasks (max. 60 points),
- passing of theoretical test (max. 40 points),
- it is possible to get up to 100 points, resulting grading scale will be according to the ECTS .

Lectures: presence is recommended.
Laboratory exercise: presence is mandatory and checked by the teacher, one absence is acceptable. In case of long-term absence, the compensation of the lost lessons is under the competence of the course guarantor.

Aims

Students will be able to specify demands on the control system based on the target application. They will also become familiar in the field of control systems and will be able to solve simple automation tasks.
- Ability to define demands on control system.
- Ability independently design and program control system for simple applications
- Ability to choose appropriate drive.
- Knowledge of open/closed loop control.
- Knowledge of usual industrial interfaces

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

SHARMA, K.L.S. Overview of Industrial Process Automation. 2nd vyd. B.m.: Elsevier, 2017. ISBN 978-0-12-809303-0. [online] Dostupná z: https://app.knovel.com/web/toc.v/cid:kpOIPAE005/viewerType:toc/ (EN)

Recommended reading

BANZI MASSIMO. Getting Started with Arduino. B.m.: O’Reilly Media, 2009. ISBN 978-0-596-15551-3. (EN)
KANDRAY, Daniel E. Programmable Automation Technologies: An Introduction to CNC, Robotics and PLCs. B.m.: Industrial Press, 2010. ISBN 0831133465. (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme N-KSI-P Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

  • Programme C-AKR-P Lifelong learning

    specialization CLS , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

16 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Zbyněk Strecker, Ph.D.

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 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Zbyněk Strecker, Ph.D.

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.