Centre of Excellence: Industrial Automation

The overall objective of the COE in Industrial Automation is to offer good-quality training in industrial automation to engineering students and graduates. Automation is greatly transforming manufacturing — the shift from manual methods to automated processes is gaining demand in Industry 4.0, involving robots, control systems and computers.

Traditional mechanical engineering courses still focus on manual manufacturing and give less space to modern systems. This Centre bridges the gap between industry and academia through automation-based training, enabling students to develop skills and solve complex technological problems while promoting multidisciplinary activity.

Automation improves workplace safety (robots handle loading/unloading and heavy parts), frees employees from repetitive tasks, and improves grip on production rate. CNC machines create many object types from different materials; 3D printing (additive manufacturing) enables part consolidation, simplifying assembly and maintenance; laser engraving (subtractive manufacturing) needs a computer-sent file to position the laser. Automatic control systems attain optimal performance of dynamic systems and improve productivity by continually measuring process variables. Initial investment is offset by reduced operating costs over the long run.

Running mechanical machines with energy saving is the need of the near future. The Centre provides knowledge of PLC (RSLogix), Arduino, Proteus, Universal G-code Generator and BMS Systems through robotic set-ups, 3D printers, CNC machines, automatic mechanical systems and laser engraving — making trainees aware of how to effectively use automation in modern industries with an energy-saving approach.

The manufacturing industry faces a widening skills gap as skilled workers retire, and struggles to improve inventory and supply-chain management — challenges heightened by recent pandemic disruptions. A lack of trained technical personnel leads to improper design, production, planning and control, while industries must meet customer expectations for high-quality, reliable, affordable products.

Today industries seek skilled technicians who can deliver automatic, fast, safe and quality production with energy-saving solutions. Manufacturing becomes smarter through high-end automation systems. Industry 4.0 will be highly automated, with faster production timelines and smart warehouses enabling rapid production and distribution — requiring a highly-skilled, educated workforce and safer workplaces.

The technical novelty of the COE is to generate a workforce that enables more optimized control of industrial resources, high-end safety, and easy remote access. Integration of systems through automation and access from remote locations is the key focus.

The Centre draws on domain experts in industrial automation, mechanical systems, control engineering and Industry 4.0 technologies to design and deliver training. The focus is on generating a workforce capable of optimized control of industrial resources, high-end safety, and remote system access through automation integration.