Department of Mechanical Engineering - Faculty of Engineering, KDU

Guest Lecture on PLC & Industrial Automation

Categories
News,imeche-student-chapter-of-kdu
Date
June 30, 2024
Author
Web Master

On June 26, 2024, the Faculty of Engineering (FOE) at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) hosted a guest lecture on Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) delivered by Mr. P.H. Roshan Premarathne, a distinguished expert in Electronic Engineering. Mr. Premarathne, currently the Managing Director of the Sri Lanka Institute of Robotics (SLIR), possesses over five years of teaching experience in electronic engineering, encompassing robotics and PLCs. His dedication has impacted over 1000 students, and he now aims to share his knowledge with a global audience passionate about robotics and automation.

The event was coordinated by D/S Chamodya and graced by the presence of Captain RS Ginige, IMechE KDU Chapter Officer in Charge, along with esteemed faculty members. Approximately 50 undergraduates from intakes 39, 40, and 41, specializing in various engineering disciplines (Mechanical, Mechatronic, Electrical, Electronic, Bio-Medical, and Marine), actively participated in this enriching session. D/S Gamith skilfully served as the event's compere. D/S Chamodya delivered a warm welcome address, introducing Mr. Premarathne's distinguished career before inviting him to present.

Mr. Premarathne commenced the guest lecture by highlighting the crucial role of PLCs in industrial automation compared to other programming methods like Arduino and microcontrollers. He effectively demonstrated this by showcasing the limitations of an Arduino system under industrial conditions using a simple interrupt circuit with two Arduino boards and an industrial contactor. This emphasized the susceptibility of Arduino and microcontrollers to noise and other industrial environmental factors, underscoring the importance of PLC programming for industrial automation. The lecture continued with Mr. Premarathne introducing the Siemens brand of PLCs, detailing different models, their release timelines, and their respective advantages and disadvantages. He then transitioned into an interactive session, utilizing examples to explain Functional Block Diagram (FBD) and Ladder programming. He elaborated on the various components of a PLC system and their interface with computers for code upload and system operation.

Furthermore, Mr. Premarathne emphasized the significance of flowcharts in simplifying program writing for any system. He concluded the workshop with a captivating demonstration of a water treatment plant operation using an S7-400 PLC, Distributed I/O, and SCADA. This demonstration fostered interactive engagement, allowing students to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the system.

Mr. Premarathne's expertise and enthusiasm resonated profoundly with the undergraduates, igniting their interest in the burgeoning field of industrial automation. This insightful workshop proved to be invaluable, especially at this crucial juncture in the undergraduates' academic journey. The workshop effectively illuminated the diverse career paths and exciting opportunities awaiting them in this dynamic field. The event concluded at 5:30 PM with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by D/S Sukitha, expressing the students' sincere appreciation to Mr. Premarathne for sharing his knowledge and inspiration.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, KDU offers two bachelor’s degree programmes, namely, BScEngHons in Mechanical Engineering and BScEngHons in Mechatronic Engineering. These four-year undergraduate programmes aim to impart competencies in courses related to Design, Manufacturing, Control Systems, and Information Technology in order to produce graduates who are well equipped to become competent Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineers.The department is playing a dynamic role in the faculty. The presence of qualified panel of lecturers with a wide range of expertise, their academic background, teaching experiences, research capabilities, and industrial exposure make a significant contribution to the overall strength of the department. The department possesses well-equipped laboratories and implements its well-designed curricula in lectures and practical sessions. The department also organises industrial visits and guest lectures, providing further opportunities for the enhancement and consolidation of students’ knowledge. The student intake is expanded by admitting Officers of the Tri-Services and Day Scholars, both local and international. The department strives to maintain the highest standards of education for the Officers from the Tri-Services, Officer Cadets, and Day Scholars to be readily employable in the industry.Why choose Mechanical Engineering or Mechatronic Engineering?Mechanical Engineers build the world around us. From the tiniest nanotechnology through cars and buildings to aeroplanes and space stations, mechanical engineers are responsible for the design and development of many things. Studying mechanical engineering is a combination of science, mathematics, and computing. The field of mechanical engineering touches virtually every aspect of modern life, including the human body, a highly complex machine. A career in mechanical engineering allows you to build a better future for yourself and the world. Mechanical engineers design and build solutions to a range of problems, improving efficiency across a wide range of industries. By studying mechanical engineering, students can look forward to good job prospects, high salaries, and varied work. Mechanical engineers are always in demand for jobs such as Aerospace engineers, Automotive engineers, Control and Instrumentation engineers, Maintenance engineers, Nuclear engineers, etc.Mechatronic is an emerging field that blends mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science to demonstrate the close integration of these disciplines in product design. The Mechatronic Engineering degree programme offers both theory and practical work in the areas of Automation, Control, Robotics, Engineering design, and applications. The knowledge and skills acquired will be useful to deal with the professional and career development goals of graduates in the future. The designed curriculum also offers a vast area of opportunities for future studies and research as a graduate and even beyond. 

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Contact Info

Address :
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Facult of Engineering,
General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University,
Kandawala Estate,
Ratmalana 10390

Head of the Department : hodmech@kdu.ac.lk
+94-71-0219275

Office : dept_mecheng@kdu.ac.lk
+94-11-2622995 (Ext: 408)

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