Develop presentation skills
In addition to technical competence, the ability to present solution concepts and results is acquired.
The laboratories at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at Fulda University of Applied Sciences offer a diverse learning environment related to practice for students. With specialised facilities in areas such as embedded systems, robotics, control engineering, electrical engineering, process optimisation on a production line, mechatronics and medical engineering, the laboratories enable students to use their theoretical knowledge in real-life experiments. State-of-the-art resources and experienced lecturers help them to develop their skills and prepare for their future careers.
Automation technology
Automation technology is naturally a very practically orientated discipline, which nevertheless requires a broad theoretical basis. For the practical tasks and the applied teaching of theoretical basics, the teaching area mainly uses the
- laboratory for automation technology and the
- laboratory for robot technology.
State-of-the-art resources are available in the laboratories for high-quality teaching and research. See for yourself.
Room 33-301, laboratory engineer Susanne Heistermann
Supervising professors: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Elmar Engels and Prof. Dr. Steven Lambeck
The laboratory for automation technology - AT laboratory for short - is used by the teaching area of control engineering and the teaching area of automation technology due to its close technical proximity and is managed by Ms Dipl.-Ing. Heistermann as the laboratory engineer in charge. The laboratory has extensive resources and is equipped with state-of-the-art hardware and software components. Since October 2013, a large part of the laboratory equipment has been converted or newly developed to meet the requirements arising from the context of Industry 4.0. Prof Engels attached great importance to ensuring that the entire laboratory implements a modular system architecture design. This applies to the drive and control components, the didactic systems and, of course, the software development tools. Consequently, numerous didactic systems for automation technology and robotics were developed by Prof Engels, as this guarantees that further developments in subsequent years will fulfil the set architecture requirements without having to rely on external system providers.
This concept, known as digitisation of university didactics have already produced numerous noteworthy results, in which graduate assistants and students in the teaching area have also made an outstanding contribution.
The following didactic systems are just a few examples:
- Model factory converted to PROFINET communication for a decentralised topology,
- Mid-size 3D printer developed for the special requirements of research and teaching,
- Large-size 3D printers developed for the special requirements of research,
- Control racks with standard peripherals developed for centralised topologies,
- Peripheral racks for Ethernet-based communication in decentralised topologies,
- Dispenser systems developed as process examples,
- Compact workstation for process control,
- Industrial camera for industrial image processing,
- Human-machine interface didactic systems developed for process visualisation,
- IO-Link didactic systems developed for digital communication down to the sensor/actuator level and
- various multi-Ethernet-capable servo drives.
Industrial components are used almost exclusively for these didactic systems, just as the graduates will later use them in production plants.
Programming systems in accordance with IEC 61131-3 are used as the central component, although many other programming languages, paradigms, software tools and protocols are required in the context of Industry 4.0 and are used accordingly in the AT laboratory.
Other didactic systems for automation technology are currently being developed and will also be used in teaching and research after the end of projects.
Some details of the resources in the AT laboratory can be found below.
IO-Link Test Bench
There are numerous communication systems in automation technology, ranging from connection to the World Wide Web right down to peripheral components. In the context of Industry 4.0, it is often desired that protocol-based communication is possible even with simple sensors or actuators. A simple example of this is a digital position sensor where the switching threshold for position detection should be configurable by a higher-level controller and this configuration can not only be written but also read back. One communication system that has gained in importance in recent years is the SDCI (Single-drop digital communication interface for small sensors and actuators) standardised in IEC 61131-9. This communication system is best known as IO-Link.
Nowadays, Industry 4.0 technologies must be part of modern courses. Prof. Engels has therefore developed a didactic system especially for the compulsory elective module Bus Systems, which makes it possible to teach the functionalities, project planning, programming and diagnostics of IO-Link topologies using different digital and analogue sensors and actuators. It can also be used as a basis for the in-house development of IO-Link devices.
Model factory
Teaching in the field of automation technology must be strongly oriented towards practical content, as graduates of this specialisation will almost certainly be confronted with real plant technology in their future profession. It therefore makes sense to learn how to work with a real attachment in addition to the theoretical content. Fulda University of Applied Sciences has various attachments available for this purpose. At first glance, the automation technology teaching area uses a plant of a manageable size. At second glance, however, the model factory offers numerous components and challenges that can keep students busy for more than just one semester.
The attachment is based on mechanical components from a didactic system manufacturer, but has been completely rebuilt in terms of networking and control technology in recent years and now offers Industry 4.0 technologies that enable broad use for teaching content, from connection to smartphones or tablets to virtual commissioning with various control components. Students are currently working on creating a digital twin in order to lay the foundation for tasks relating to virtual reality or augmented reality.
Compakt Workstation
The Compact Workstation contains numerous sensors and actuators that enable the creation of various process control systems. These include, for example, level controllers, temperature controllers, pressure controllers and flow controllers with various disturbance variables. These controlled systems can also be combined to form complex multi-variable systems.
The Compact Workstation is used regularly in the teaching area of control engineering. However, the original system has been modified so that it now has an open interface for all analogue and digital sensors and actuators and is therefore independent of the higher-level control system.
On the one hand, rapid control prototyping systems are used in the control engineering teaching area, but on the other hand, the didactic systems developed in the automation engineering teaching area also have suitable peripherals so that the compact workstation can also be used for process automation tasks. Other rapid control prototyping tools are available for this purpose.
Teaching content from various software development tools can be grouped around the Compact Workstation and theory can be tested in practice.
The robotics laboratory is used almost exclusively by the teaching area of automation technology, as the resources are primarily centred around industrial robotics. On the one hand, the laboratory has the latest commercially available industrial robots, but it also develops its own robots, which are not available on the market in the desired form for the didactic concept developed by Prof Engels. Some examples of robot kinematics are mentioned here:
- 6-axis articulated arm robots
- two 6-axis lightweight articulated arm robots
- 3-axis delta robot (Michelangelo)
- 3-axis delta robot (Raphael)
- 4-axis delta robot (Leonardo)
- 2-axis gantry kinematics
- Hexapod kinematics
The delta robots and the hexapod were developed by Prof. Engels specifically for the digitisation of university didactics. Due to the in-house development of the mechanics and the use of industrial motion control solutions, projects with a high level of technical depth can be realised. With purchased robot systems, the limits are quickly reached when it comes to obtaining details about kinematic calculations or design details from the manufacturers, as this is usually confidential information. Thanks to in-house development, this information is all available and can be varied according to your own ideas.
Many students have also been able to expand and develop their expertise in the field of robotics in a very related to practice manner in the form of projects and theses when setting up and commissioning their own developments.
Further robot systems with other drive and control systems are currently being developed and will also be used in teaching and research once the projects have been completed.
Delta robotics MICHELANGELO
The MICHELANGELO robot - MICO for short - is a design with delta kinematics and has 3 degrees of freedom (DoF = mechanical degrees of freedom). Its drive concept is based on industrial components and was manufactured and put into operation using 3D printing procedures.
The robotics was developed by Prof Dr Engels and incorporates various Industry 4.0 technologies. It is therefore ideally prepared for the coming years of research and teaching. As it was developed entirely in-house by the teaching area, it can also be individually expanded for future tasks.
The following students were involved in setting up the attachments: S. Weber, B.Eng.; A. Wiegand, M.Eng.
Delta robot RAPHAEL
The RAPHAEL robot - RAPHA for short - is also a design with Delta kinematics and 3 DoF. Its drive concept is also based on industrial components and is the global first delta robot with Sercos stepper motor drives to be manufactured and put into operation using 3D printing procedures. The robotics was developed to integrate seamlessly into the teaching area's training concept. The construction was financially supported by the ET department's sponsorship organisation (FET).
The robot was developed by Prof Dr Engels and incorporates various Industry 4.0 technologies. It is therefore ideally prepared for the next few years of research and teaching. As it was developed entirely in-house by the teaching area, it can also be individually expanded for future tasks.
The following students were involved in setting up the attachments: S. Weber, B.Eng.; A. Wiegand, M.Eng.
Delta robotics LEONARDO
The LEONARDO robot - LEO for short - is the flagship of delta robotics developments in the teaching area. Its 4 DoF Delta kinematics are mainly driven by NEMA 23 stepper motors and has a flexible Stewart platform that can be equipped with various tools. In addition to various drawing tools, this also includes a pneumatic suction cup that enables typical pick & place applications to be carried out using the existing orientation axis. The robot head is designed in such a way that it can be modularly extended to up to 6 DoF and thus also supports conveyor belts or rotary indexing tables.
The robot was developed by Prof Dr Engels and incorporates various Industry 4.0 technologies. It is therefore ideally prepared for the coming years of research and teaching. As it was developed entirely in-house by the teaching area, it can also be individually expanded for future tasks.
The following students were involved in setting up the attachments: S. Weber, B.Eng.; A. Wiegand, M.Eng.
Lightweight articulated arm robot
Three articulated arm robots are used for research and teaching in the automation technology and robotics specialisation. The robots are particularly interesting due to their size and open control system. The two robots are basically suitable for human-robot cooperation (HRC), but can also be easily integrated into a cell or monitored with a safety periphery if the tools pose a potential hazard. The comparatively low weight of the lightweight kinematics and the associated control cabinet also allows the system to be used in various rooms at the university. In particular, this means that the system can also be demonstrated during lectures.
In the area of research on the topic of 3D printing, the robots can be used as 3D printers with the additional hardware and software developed in the teaching area. The robots are therefore not only used for handling tasks, but also as complex machine tools.
Classic articulated arm robot
Three articulated arm robots are used for research and teaching in the automation technology and robotics specialisation.
This articulated arm robot is mounted stationary in a closed cell. It is characterised in particular by its high dynamics and accuracy. Equipped with various interfaces, the robotics can be controlled and programmed via the teach pendant. However, other software interfaces are available so that the robotics can be commanded both via the didactic systems developed in the teaching area as a slave and from rapid control prototyping software systems.
The robotics is basically equipped with a pneumatic gripper. However, application-specific gripper systems have also been developed in various project work. Two examples are shown in the illustrations. Algorithms have been developed for drawing complex representations that calculate several thousand coordinates based on an image analysis and then have the robot automatically draw the representation on paper using specially developed tools.
The robot cell also has a modern, industrial image processing system, so that object-dependent applications were also implemented in addition to predefined motion sequences.
Mechatronics
The laboratory provides hardware and software for courses, theses and research and development projects in the fields of:
-design and manufacturing;
-FEM analysis;
-CFD analysis;
-materials research;
-robotics;
Various types of 3D printers (SLS, FDM, FFF), 3D scanners, machine tools, cobots and materials testing machines are available in the mechatronics laboratory.
Room 24 -104a, laboratory engineer B. Eng. Marius Schultheis
Supervising professor: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tobias Müller
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Embedded systems
The laboratory provides hardware and software for courses, Bachelor's theses and research and development projects in the fields of
- Data communication
- Digital signal processing
- Microprocessor and microcontroller applications in embedded systems
- Mobile communication
- Multimedia technologies and circuit development
Room 33-312, laboratory engineer M. Eng. Stefan Möller
Supervising professors: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Daniel Schönherr, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tobias Sprodowski
In the laboratory for embedded systems, up to 20 students can work simultaneously at ten specially equipped computer workstations. Each of these workstations is equipped with the necessary hardware and software to provide optimal working conditions. In particular, two monitors are available at each workstation, which facilitates programming and supports pair programming, in which two people work together on one computer and support each other in creating the programme code.
In addition to the computers, the technical equipment in the laboratory comprises power supplies, oscilloscopes and various measuring equipment. These devices enable students to carry out precise measurements and analyse electronic circuits. The laboratory also works with microcontrollers based on the STM32, which enables students to gain practical experience with modern, widely used microcontroller platforms.
Another component of the laboratory is a soldering station. This allows students to develop and solder electronic circuits by hand, giving them manual skills in working with electronic components and circuit boards.
A central aspect of the laboratory is the independent work of the students. They are expected to build their own electronic circuits and programme the associated software. They have access to modern resources to gain experience related to practice and specialise their technical skills.
In addition, great emphasis is placed on teamwork in the laboratory. Through targeted group work, students learn to work effectively in a team, which is an important competence for their future professional career. This combination of practical work and teamwork supports both the students' technical and social skills.
In the laboratory for embedded systems, up to 20 students can work simultaneously at ten specially equipped computer workstations. Each of these workstations is equipped with the necessary hardware and software to provide optimal working conditions. In particular, two monitors are available at each workstation, which facilitates programming and supports pair programming, in which two people work together on one computer and support each other in creating the programme code.
In addition to the computers, the technical equipment in the laboratory comprises power supplies, oscilloscopes and various measuring equipment. These devices enable students to carry out precise measurements and analyse electronic circuits. The laboratory also works with microcontrollers based on the STM32, which enables students to gain practical experience with modern, widely used microcontroller platforms.
Another component of the laboratory is a soldering station. This allows students to develop and solder electronic circuits by hand, giving them manual skills in working with electronic components and circuit boards.
A central aspect of the laboratory is the independent work of the students. They are expected to build their own electronic circuits and programme the associated software. They have access to modern resources to gain experience related to practice and specialise their technical skills.
In addition, great emphasis is placed on teamwork in the laboratory. Through targeted group work, students learn to work effectively in a team, which is an important competence for their future professional career. This combination of practical work and teamwork supports both the students' technical and social skills.
In the laboratory for embedded systems, up to 20 students can work simultaneously at ten specially equipped computer workstations. Each of these workstations is equipped with the necessary hardware and software to provide optimal working conditions. In particular, two monitors are available at each workstation, which facilitates programming and supports pair programming, in which two people work together on one computer and support each other in creating the programme code.
In addition to the computers, the technical equipment in the laboratory comprises power supplies, oscilloscopes and various measuring equipment. These devices enable students to carry out precise measurements and analyse electronic circuits. The laboratory also works with microcontrollers based on the STM32, which enables students to gain practical experience with modern, widely used microcontroller platforms.
Another component of the laboratory is a soldering station. This allows students to develop and solder electronic circuits by hand, giving them manual skills in working with electronic components and circuit boards.
A central aspect of the laboratory is the independent work of the students. They are expected to build their own electronic circuits and programme the associated software. They have access to modern resources to gain experience related to practice and specialise their technical skills.
In addition, great emphasis is placed on teamwork in the laboratory. Through targeted group work, students learn to work effectively in a team, which is an important competence for their future professional career. This combination of practical work and teamwork supports both the students' technical and social skills.
In the laboratory for embedded systems, up to 20 students can work simultaneously at ten specially equipped computer workstations. Each of these workstations is equipped with the necessary hardware and software to provide optimal working conditions. In particular, two monitors are available at each workstation, which facilitates programming and supports pair programming, in which two people work together on one computer and support each other in creating the programme code.
In addition to the computers, the technical equipment in the laboratory comprises power supplies, oscilloscopes and various measuring equipment. These devices enable students to carry out precise measurements and analyse electronic circuits. The laboratory also works with microcontrollers based on the STM32, which enables students to gain practical experience with modern, widely used microcontroller platforms.
Another component of the laboratory is a soldering station. This allows students to develop and solder electronic circuits by hand, giving them manual skills in working with electronic components and circuit boards.
A central aspect of the laboratory is the independent work of the students. They are expected to build their own electronic circuits and programme the associated software. They have access to modern resources to gain experience related to practice and specialise their technical skills.
In addition, great emphasis is placed on teamwork in the laboratory. Through targeted group work, students learn to work effectively in a team, which is an important competence for their future professional career. This combination of practical work and teamwork supports both the students' technical and social skills.
Basic laboratory
Experiments from the fields of physics, electrical engineering, measurement technology and EMC are carried out in the basic laboratory.
The following learning outcomes should be achieved in the basic laboratory:
- Experience in using measuring devices such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, current probes, network analysers
- Practice class in experimentation
- Application of theoretical knowledge in practical experiments
- Assessments of measurements and measuring methods
- Written assignment of technical reports
- Assessment of EMC measures
Room 33-101, laboratory engineer Dipl. Phys. Bodo Pfisterer
Supervising professor: Prof. Dr Matthias Friedrich
Engineering and Management
The Engineering and Management laboratory is aimed at students of Engineering and Management (WI). It provides hardware and software for modelling and simulations in the field of production planning and logistics.
32.101, laboratory engineer Marco Weß
Supervising professor: Prof. Dr Thies Beinke
The Engineering and Management internship is scheduled for the 5th or 6th semester and is offered every semester.
Students deal with the following topics, among others:
- Planning simple production plants
- Simulation of production processes
- Process optimisation using the Kanban method
- Statistical quality control, e.g. with the Six Sigma methods
The main application is the "Plant Simulation" program, which can be used to model and simulate discrete production processes, and a learning production line, which can be used to test and research production processes under realistic conditions.
Dual MakerSpace
The MakerSpace is located in building 34, room 308.
- A retreat for dual students
- Courses and seminars
The Dual Makerspace, which will open in the winter semester 2021/2022, is an innovative retreat for dual students. This space is specially designed to support students' academic and practical training.
The Dual MakerSpace is used in a variety of ways. Firstly, it serves as a venue for courses and seminars, in particular for the "Introduction to Technology" lecture, which is aimed at first-year dual students. In this course, students receive a basic introduction to technical principles and methods that are essential for their further university studies.
In addition, the Dual MakerSpace offers space for technical workshops and practice classes. These practical sessions allow students to put theoretical knowledge into practice and further develop their technical skills. The space is resourced with modern tools and equipment that can be used for various projects and experiments.
The Dual MakerSpace is therefore a central component of dual training, supporting learning as well as the creative and practical application of technical knowledge.
You can register yourself and your fellow students for the MakerSpace (34.308) here.
The dual study programme team will ensure that it is open. Please note that the MakerSpace is used for courses.
Booking
Contact:
Alessio Cavaterra 0661 9640-5830
Alexandra Pach 0661 9640-5812
From now on, reservations are no longer possible on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 am to 12 pm, as the MakerSpace is taken a course!
