Automation and Controls Training
| Course code: | 25-SS-129 |
|---|---|
| Dates: | June 2-6, 2025 Alternate Course Dates |
| Meets: | M, Tu, W, Th, and Fri from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, 5 sessions |
| Hours: | 40.00 |
| CEUs: | 4.00 |
| Location: | VCU College of Engineering West Hall 105 |
| Instructor: | Instructor Information |
| Fee: | $3,495.00 |
Description
Topics include:
- History of Industrial Automation - Relay logic
- Introduction to PLCs
- Input Devices and Output Actuators (field devices)
- Interfacing Field Devices to a PLC
- Basic Number Systems and PLC Memory
- PLC Programming - Ladder Logic
- PLC Programming Instructions (includes timers, counters, arithmetic, move, and comparison instructions)
- AC Induction Motor Basics and Variable Frequency Motor Drives
- PLC Programming - Structured Text
- PLC Programming - Function Block Diagrams
- Human Machine Interface (HMI) Programming
- PLC tasks, Programs, and Routines
- Basic Motion Control Using PLCs
Audience:
This course is intended for engineers, technicians, or supervisors who work in the area of industrial automation but do not have in-depth knowledge of PLCs, including how they are deployed, programmed or operated. A degree in engineering is helpful, but not required. The attendee should have a working knowledge of basic electrical fundamentals, such as voltage, current, AC, DC, etc. and basic skills in the area of computer programming. Fundamental computer skills, including working with programs that have an extensive Graphical User Interface is also required.
About the Instructors:
Dr. Robert Klenke is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at VCU. Dr. Klenke's research interests include system-level modeling and hardware/software codesign for complex, embedded digital systems. His recent research work has been concentrated in the area of digital flight control systems and payload data systems for unmanned aerial vehicles. In 2015, Dr. Klenke developed the first course in Industrial Automation to be taught at VCU. This course has been supported by generous donations from Rockwell Automation and several local industries. In 2016, a second, advanced course was added to the sequence. Thus far, over 100 VCU engineering undergraduates and graduate students have taken the Industrial Automation courses.
Dr. Klenke received his BSEE degree from the Virginia Military Institute in 1982 and his MSEE and Ph.D. (Electrical Engineering) degrees from the University of Virginia in 1989 and 1993 respectively. He joined the faculty in the Department of Electrical Engineering at VCU as an Associate Professor in 1998. Dr. Klenke led the efforts to develop computer engineering as a separate degree program in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering which was first ABET accredited in 2005. He has over 35 years of combined military, education, and consulting experience in engineering and has published over 85 refereed papers and book chapters.
Bruce C. Freer received his BSEET from Youngstown State University in 1978.Bruce began his 40-year career with Allen-Bradley in 1979 as an Application Engineer and later moved to Product Marketing where he was responsible for the PLC-3 Product Line. In 1985, Bruce moved to Richmond, Va. as an Area Manager helping customers develop Automation Systems in the Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Pulp & Paper, Mining & Metals, and Marine Industries. These systems involved PLC/Automation Controllers, Safety Controllers, Safety Systems, Industrial Ethernet Switches & Networking, Operator Interface Devices, S.C.A.D.A software, Historian Software, PlantPAx DCS systems, Motion Systems, Vibration Monitoring, Industrial Computers, Industrial Thin Clients, Thin Client Management Software, and VMWare Virtual Servers. Bruce retired from Rockwell Automation in December 2019.
While working at Rockwell Automation, Bruce helped Dr. Klenke configure the first Industrial Automation Class at VCU in 2015 with six (6) workstations. In 2019, five (5) more workstations were added.
Facilities and Equipment:
The Industrial Automation lab at VCU is equipped with 11 stations of state-of-the-art Rockwell Automation PLC hardware and software.
Eight of the stations consist of the following equipment:
- Allen-Bradley 1769-L36ERM Programmable Logic Controller:
1769-IQ16 16 Point 24 VDC Sinking/Sourcing Input Module
1769-OB16 16 Point 24 VDC Sourcing Output Module
1769-IF4XOF2 8 Bit Resolution, High Speed 4 In/2 Out Analog Combination Module - Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 525 Variable Frequency Motor Drive
- Allen-Bradley PanelView Plus 7 Standard Terminal Human Machine Interface (HMI)
- An IO board equipped with several NO and NC pushbutton and limit switches and a red/yellow/green LED light tower
- Allen-Bradley 1783-NATR Network Address Translator
There are an additional 3 stations equipped with the following equipment:
- Allen-Bradley 1769-L36ERMS Programmable Safety Logic Controller:
1769-IQ16 16 Point 24 VDC Sinking/Sourcing Input Module
1769-OB16 16 Point 24 VDC Sourcing Output Module
1769-IF4XOF2 8 Bit Resolution, High Speed 4 In/2 Out Analog Combination Module - Allen-Bradley 1734-AENTR 2-Port EtherNet I/O Adapter Module:
1734-IB8S POINT Guard I/O Safety Module - 8 Point Input Module
1734-OB8S POINT Guard I/O Safety Module - 8 Safety Sourcing Output Module
1734-4IOL POINT 4 Channel IO-Link Master Module - Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 525 Variable Frequency Motor Drive
- Allen-Bradley PanelView Plus 7 Standard Terminal Human Machine Interface (HMI)
- An IO board equipped with several NO and NC pushbutton and limit switches and a red/yellow/green LED light tower
- Allen-Bradley 450L GuardShield POC Safety Light Curtains
Each of the 11 stations is equipped with a Dell PC running the Rockwell Studio 5000 and FactoryTalk software tools.
Notes
Early Bird Registration savings is available until May 12, 2025.
Registration fee includes:
All necessary materials, parking on the VCU campus, a snack break and meal each session, CEUs, a digital certificate of completion, and a digital badge.
CEUs will be awarded upon completion.
Cancellation/Refund Policy: You may cancel your registration up until 30 days prior to the course start date, and receive a full refund minus any credit card processing fees. Cancellations must be received via email at ocpe@vcu.edu
In the unlikely event that this program is cancelled or postponed due to insufficient enrollments or unforeseen circumstances, the university will fully refund registration fees, but cannot be held responsible for any other expenses, including change or cancellation charges to include but not limited to airlines, hotels, travel agencies, or other organizations.
Student/Participant Conduct:
Participants are subject to all university policies applicable to students, unless a specific university or VCU Continuing and Professional Education policy explicitly states otherwise. University policies governing students are available at https://vcu.public.doctract.com including:
Student Code of Conduct
Honor System and Standards of Academic Conduct
Preventing and Responding to Discrimination
Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy-Interim
Sex-Based Misconduct Policy-Interim
For Academic Accommodations, please visit https://ocpe.vcu.edu/courses/policies.html#accommodations
There are still openings remaining at this time.
