Software Engineer
Jack will graduate in Spring 2025 at FAMU-FSU College of Engineering with a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He is interning at Corning Incorporated as an Optical Fiber Engineering Intern before completing his Masters at FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.
The objective of this project is to develop curriculum for Mechanical Engineering students at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering to address the current lack of Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) training.
We have made a curriculum to teach students the basics of using Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs). PLCs are small computers that Mechanical Engineers commonly use, especially in manufacturing. Up until now, the Mechanical Engineering department has not taught students how to use PLCs. With the prevalence of PLCs increasing every year, there will be more jobs for engineers who know how to use them. To address this growing demand, we provided our curriculum to the Introduction to Mechatronics course at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. By giving the College this curriculum, graduates will be better prepared to fill this growing demand. We solved three problems during development. First, students need a safe way to learn about PLCs. To do this, we made a simulation tool in MATLAB using an existing library. Using simulations, students can make mistakes without damaging equipment. Also, they will be able to practice outside of the laboratory. Second, the laboratory did not have the hardware needed to use PLCs. We bought this hardware which included PLCs, a 3D printer, and electrical components. Third, the College needed a new set of learning goals. We created these goals to guide the instructor on which PLC skills are important for students to learn. Also, a series of laboratory assignments was provided along with the hardware needed to complete these assignments. Our contribution to the Introduction to Mechatronics course has given the College the opportunity to better prepare students for a career in Mechanical Engineering. Students will have the advantage of learning PLCs before starting their career. By having this skill, they will have access to a wider variety of jobs. This will also make them more competitive when searching for jobs as they will be able to get started using PLCs right away, instead of waiting to be trained.
We are designing and producing three lab stations with lab manuals and supporting documentation which focus on the fundamentals of programming PLCs and troubleshooting techniques.
Providing the Mechatronics faculty with learning checkpoints will help measure the effectiveness of this new learning style.
Incorporating PLCs into the curriculum will better prepare students for a career in the automation industry after graduation while broadening their skills and interests.
The base for the conveyer belt is shown above and is composed of 3D printed parts that students will be provided. These baseplates contain holes that allow for the base connector to clip into them. This allows for a versatile design, where the professor is able to remove or add different components every semester. The team will also provide breadboard holders and a mount for the DC motor where students will be expected to create a motor house via CAD.
Students will learn how to program PLCs via Ladder Logic on MATLAB. They will be expected to simulate a button which turns an LED off and on virtually.
A manufacturing sorting simulation will be created with a conveyer belt and 3D printed parts. This will be a fully automated lab with buttons, a break-beam sensor, a DC motor, and a stepper motor which will sort different sizes boxes.
Students will participate in a timed contest. The students will go up against the PLC which utilizes a linear actuator. Whoever pushes boxes off fastest wins!
The team will work on integrating all of the hardware, software, and electrical components with the preliminary prototype. Any troubleshooting operations will be documented.
Team 519 will showcase the final presentation and prototype to peers, faculty, and judges.
