“Not only do they learn to work with the most recent technology, but they also gain hands-on experience with commissioning and programming a real-life setup – not just a PLC. In addition, they can also extensively test the safety functions, and thus also ensure their own market position in mechanical engineering.”
Dr.ir. Michel Van Dessel, project leader, KU Leuven Campus De Nayer
During the academic years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, students worked in their master's thesis on the mechanical and electrical design, writing the PLC program including the HMI, the mechanical and electrical construction, and finally the configuration and commissioning of the set up under the supervision of the project manager.
The first complete – and movable – lab set-up has now been completed and optimised, and can also be used in practical lessons.
Another student team is already building two identical setups. In this way, a fully equipped laboratory for Advanced motion control has being built on Campus De Nayer.
This will be used in the Industrial Engineering course Electromechanics, in the option Automation and mechatronics.
KU Leuven Campus De Nayer specifically chose the high-performance Sinamics S120 servo drive, because it has the accuracy and precision to control a linear slide with an inverted pendulum rod.
In addition, the drive is flexible enough to also work out other educational scenarios. Access to such technology is invaluable for industrial engineering students.
