Industrial Automation Self-learning Through the Development of Didactic Industrial Processes

Teaching industrial automation is a complex mission. The classical approach is based on lectures and laboratories assisted by teachers. Nevertheless, teaching industrial automation is not easy because this multidisciplinary area requires knowledge in control, energy, electronics, robotics and computer engineering, among others. In this way, this paper presents an approach to teach Industrial Automation based on a self-learning strategy. Instead of using only the classical approach where they use didactic back boxes with a particular system, students must also develop a research work and a didactic automation prototype. Since the approach is based in the autonomy and self-learning, the evaluation of this methodology indicates that students increase the interest about industrial automation and clarify important aspects of assembly, commissioning, parameterization and programming of electric and electronic devices. Additionally, this methodology seems to increase their self-confidence, apart from the necessary background to face the challenge of working in the real world. The feedback from employers is also very satisfactory.