Development of Computer-Based Workstations for the Operation of Engineering Laboratories. Final Report (original) (raw)

Remote Laboratories for Teaching and Training in Engineering

Design, Control and Applications of Mechatronic Systems in Engineering, 2017

Typical mechatronic systems are a combination of advanced technologies involving several disciplines. This multidisciplinary approach to the development of industrial applications provides great opportunities for the implementation of e-learning environments and collaborative schemes. Engineering education, in particular, benefits from many of these advances, among which, virtual instrumentation is a useful tool for the development of virtual environments, e-learning spaces and, particularly, remote laboratories. This chapter describes the implementation of web-based laboratories that allow the remote operation of experiments used as training exercises in undergraduate engineering courses. The remote laboratories were developed using LabVIEW ® software, and they enable remote control and monitoring of laboratory equipment, allowing engineering students to perform experiments in real time, at their own pace, from anywhere, and whenever is suitable for them. Besides the experimental training that the web-based laboratories provide to students, the system is also a powerful teaching tool since real-time demonstrations of the experiments can be performed, and they also can be simultaneously monitored by a group of students. This approach is highly beneficial for engineering schools in developing countries, as resources can be shared through the Internet. A description of the system and three proposed experiments is presented, together with the experimental results.

DESIGN OF MODERN, INTEGRAGTED LABORATORY-STATION (ILS) FOR ENGINEERING EXPERIMENTAL COURSES

The objectives were to design modern, Integrated Laboratory Stations (ILS) including well balanced blend of fluids/thermal and structural/mechanical, electronic and computer technology, with a goal to teach engineering students the most important experimental skills and expose them to modern instrumentation and experimental methods, expected by their future employers. The new design of ILS apparatus incorporates modern sensors and computerized data acquisition (DAQ) with signal conditioning, including data analysis and presentations, as well as improvement in efficiency of presenting ever increasing context in limited number of contact and lab hours. Within a single bench with shelves, a number of apparatus with different typical sensors and instruments are integrated with computerized DAQ system. More apparatus could be added if needed and variety of experiments could be developed using designed apparatus, instrumentations and sensors.

AC 2007-925: USING TECHNOLOGY TO SUPPORT ENGINEERING LABORATORY STUDIES

Mark Russell's teaching and learning interests are varied, and include exploring the effective use of technologies to support in-class activities, developing collaborative learning opportunities and developing innovative tools for electronic-assessment. Marks current interests lie in the area of Just-In-Time teaching and using the students' own understandings to help guide the lecture experience. In addition to winning the UK e-tutor of the year (2003) Mark was awarded a UK National Teaching Fellowship .

Remote operation and control of traditional laboratory equipment

International Journal of …, 2006

Abstract— Physical experiments are indispensable for developing skills to deal with physical processes and instrumentation. The Internet provides new possibilities for universities and other teaching organizations to share laboratories and increase the number of lab sessions ...

Enhanced remote laboratory work for engineering training

Today, with the development of digital equipment and the increased performances of Information and communication technology (ICT), the online laboratory or Lab At Distance (LAD) found an interesting tool in training systems and can also provide enrichment for the conventional laboratory.

Computer-assisted Laboratory Experience in an Undergraduate Mechanical Engineering Program

2002 GSW Proceedings

The mechanical engineering BS degree program at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) was recently revised and the required experimental laboratory sequence was restructured. The restructuring goal was to improve laboratory experience in both stems of mechanical engineering (energy and structures/motion) and to identify coherent course offerings in each stem. The objective also included integration of data acquisition systems into the required laboratory sequence in the ME program. A 5-year laboratory plan was formulated to repair and upgrade existing equipment, design and fabricate new equipment, procure basic measurement equipment including computers, programs and interfacing hubs to central computers, replacement of outdated equipment and acquisition of new laboratory benches. Laboratory plans were designed to provide hands-on experience in application of classroom theory through use of state-of-the-art measurement and instrumentation techniques. Design of experiments is required in upper level laboratory courses. Laboratory experience is also included in elective courses using the same basic laboratory equipment in an "Open laboratory" approach. This paper describes the restructured laboratory sequence, explains how the data acquisition systems are integrated into the laboratory experience, and provides procedures for selected lab experiments.

Laboratory Experience for Undergraduate Students * Abstract *

2008

This paper seeks to begin a discussion with regard to developing standardized Computer Aided Control System Design (CACSD) tools that are typically utilized in an undergraduate controls laboratory. The advocated CACSD design tools are based on the popular, commercially available MATLAB environment, the Simulink toolbox, and the Real-Time Workshop toolbox. The primary advantages of the proposed approach are as follows: 1) the required computer hardware is low cost, 2) commercially available plants from different manufacturers can be supported under the same CACSD environment with no hardware modifications, 3) both the Windows and Linux operating systems can be supported via the MATLAB based Real-Time Windows Target and the Quality Real Time Systems (QRTS) based Real-Time Linux Target, and 4) the Simulink block diagram approach can be utilized to prototype control strategies; thereby, eliminating the need for low level programming skills. It is believed that the above advantages related to standardization of the CACSD design tools will facilitate: 1) the sharing of laboratory resources within each university (i.e., between departments) and 2) the development of Internet laboratory experiences for students (i.e., between universities).

Virtual Laboratory for Engineering Education: Review of Virtual Laboratory for Students Learning

Engineering Science Letter

E-learning is currently a rapidly growing trend which attempts to provide an infrastructural configuration that integrates and encompass learning content, services and tools as a single solution which can generate and deliver educational contents and training effectively, efficiently and cost-effectively. In advanced technical education, laboratories are essential learning spaces. Providing laboratory facilities at universities with limited funds and technical know-how is difficult due to the high expenses of installation and upkeep. In order to tackle these obstacles, "virtual laboratories" have been established. Through remote access, virtual laboratories make it possible for users to conduct experiments similar to genuine systems. Consequently, resources of laboratories can be shared across a wide community of geographically dispersed customers while restricting operational expenses and initial set-up to one single institution. This article reviews the virtual laborator...

ICT-ENABLED LABVIEW BASED LABORATORY FOR REMOTE ACCESS APPLICATIONS

irnetexplore.ac.in

This paper presents a model of laboratory framework for the student that was developed by the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to conduct experiments on the internet employing a virtual environment based on LabVIEW. The general structure proposed is focused on web based access to real laboratory experiments by providing an advanced infrastructure offering data and computing services to learners from several application domains. In this paper, it is described how this infrastructure is used in both conventional and distance education by providing flexibility to students and teachers. As ICT plays an ever increasing role in the development of the virtual laboratory framework to meet escalating demands on laboratory resources, the system is found to be strategic imperative for engineering education involving experimental works.