WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
ENGR 477: Process Controllers
January 2009
Dr. Garrett Hunter
Office: KH 340
GD-Hunter@wiu.edu
(309) 298-2319
Office Hours: _______________
CATALOG
_______________
DESCRIPTION
Microprocessor and electronic programmable controller architecture and programming as used
in the automation of machines and controls.
TEXTBOOK
Stenerson, J. (2004). Fundamentals of Programmable Logic Controllers, Sensors, and
Communications, 3rd ed. Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ.
COURSE
OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
Install, program, operate, and troubleshoot programmable logic controllers in a variety of
typical control applications. The student will master logical, math, comparative, timer,
and counter instructions. The student will use move, copy, bit & word numbers and
conversions in at least one laboratory project.
Determine field device characteristics and installation procedures as applicable to plcs.
Install, program, operate and troubleshoot sensors, transducers, and other industrial input
devices and install, operate and troubleshoot solenoids, motors, lights and other industrial
output devices.
ATTENDANCE
POLICY
This is a lecture-lab course. You will be expected to attend all scheduled lecture and lab
sessions. If you are unable to attend a session, let the instructor know as soon as possible.
Attendance will be taken randomly at any time during the assigned class periods. Any student
missing four or more lecture or lab sessions without instructor approval will be penalized 5%
of their final grade. If you complete the materials assigned during a class period, check with
the instructor prior to leaving.
You are responsible to make up any work missed due to an absence. If you are absent from an
exam or materials were collected when you were absent, you must provide information of your
whereabouts if the absence will be accepted as excused. It is then up to the instructor as if the
absence will be excused. If you have an appointment on a scheduled test date, you must let the
instructor know in advance or the absence will not be excused.
GRADING
PROCEDURE
This course is graded by a point system. Each homework assignment, lab assignment and
exam will be worth a specified number of points. Typically each response to a question or
problem is worth 1 point, but this may vary on homework assignments. At the end of the
semester the total number of points accumulated by each student will be added. This number
will then be divided into the total number of points possible to determine a percentage. This
percentage will correspond to a letter grade as follows:
Undergraduate Students
92-100% = A
84-91% = B 76-83% = C 68-75% = D below 68% = F
Graduate Students
96-100% = A
87 – 95% = B
80-86% = C
72-79% = F
Any student missing four or more lecture or lab sessions without instructor
approval will be penalized 5% of their final grade.
Each student will complete many individual and group assignments throughout the semester.
Please maintain a folder with all returned assignments so that any discrepancies in grading may
be easily rectified.
Students may request to view their grades at any time during the semester. Also, students will
be shown their grades just prior to each exam.
GRADUATE
PROJECT
Any students taking this course for graduate credit must complete an additional course project.
This project must incorporate a plc with at least four types of field devices and use advanced
programming commands to perform an actual task found in industry. The project must
replicate the industrial task, not just simulate it. The student may utilize materials found within
the process control labs and is expected to construct fixtures, jigs, and other devices that may
be necessary to complete their project.
A proposal is required by the end of the ninth week of class explaining the proposed project.
Late proposals will be docked 10% of the final grade. The proposal must be typed, doublespaced and include an Introduction to the Project, Problem Statement, and Description of the
Proposed Methods of Construction and Implementation. Refer to technical articles and
journals for concepts and defense of your project.
A final project report will be submitted when the project is demonstrated. The final report will
include a typed paper explaining the project, its objectives, and operating procedures. It will
have lookup tables, wiring schematics, programs and other applicable data in the appendices.
All graduate projects must be scheduled for demonstration by Wednesday of Finals Week.
Demonstrations that are not ready will be docked 10% of the final grade.
STUDENTS WITH
DISABILITIES
If there is any student in this class who has need for test-taking, or other, accommodations due
to a disability, please feel free to discuss this with your instructor.
MATERIALS COST
REIMBURSEMENT
To help maintain the quality of the electronics labs, a materials cost reimbursement will be charged to
help the department recover the cost of expended supplies and damaged components. The fee for the
laboratory content of this course is $15 and may be paid by cash or check. Please make all checks out
to the Department of Engineering Technology.
My Office Hours are _______________________ or by appointment.