USING MICROCOMPUTERS FOR CREATING VIRTUAL EDUCATIONAL MODELS OF TECHNICAL DEVICES USED IN INDUSTRY FOR THE SUPPORT OF TEACHING PROGRAMMABLE LOGICAL CONTROLLERS

摘要

Present fast development of automation technology and its optimal implementation in control of metallurgical processes requires trained specialists who will be able to manipulate with it and also design and set it up. That requires special practical training of university students. Metallurgical processes are typical for their complexity, large dimensions, high temperatures and high costs. This is the reason why it is not usually physically possible to implement these processes in the learning process in the form of physical models that would be used in teaching of their real-time control. In technical practise the PLC are used for control most often. PLC connection with models of technologies allows to increase quality of teaching in the field of technological process management. This article is mainly dedicated to the creation of microcomputer virtual models of important representatives of technological aggregates and their integration and communication with PLC. The advantage of virtual models is their easy hardware and software implementation, a variability, a small size, a low price and a sufficient model representation and visualisation of real technologies, aggregates and equipment of technological complexes. At the same time this ensures safety of students in the learning process. The article contains examples of virtual models of selected devices that are most often used in technical practise. The example of a virtual model is an assembly line transport and material sorting, level monitoring and regulation in tanks and containers, etc. These applications can be easily extended with other elements used in metallurgical industry. Whereas extension of quantity and types of virtual learning models just depends on the development of the appropriate software.