Day at the Races in Electrical Automation

How do Batman, a military tank and two, 2-liter soda bottles help students learn?  Well at Ranken Technical College, these three elements combine to introduce third and fourth semester Electrical Automation Tech (EAT) students, to the high tech world of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) and Human Machine Interfaces (HMI).

Eighteen EAT teams (two students on a team) compete by using this technology to see which team can maneuver a Batman action figure (seated on a tank) through a figure eight course. The course is outlined by two, 2-liter soda bottles. All runs are against the clock. This competition allows the students to integrate hardware, such as photo-eyes, PLC and software with the use of computers and touch screen HMI.

One of the team members has to maneuver the tank (via remote control) through the course. The PLC is recording the path the tank takes during this run. The tank is sent out a second time, in autonomous mode, to see if the program is operable. Each team’s time is recorded during the second run and the team with the fastest time is the winner.

Instructor Sal Francis comments, “In the real world, nothing works perfectly during initial testing and integration of a project. There are always problems. The main purpose of the competition is to develop each student’s trouble-shooting skills.” Francis continues, “This competition allows the students to reinforce their understanding of touch screen HMI, PLC integration and the physical connections to the input/output hardware.”

 

These competitive exercises pay-off for Ranken students. In fact, MAVERICK Technologies, with its world headquarters located in Columbia, IL, had recent openings for three control system positions. They recruited/interviewed engineering applicants from numerous campuses, including such universities as Purdue (IN) and Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville (IL). The interviewing process was intense for the top level candidates, involving several rounds of interviews. The end result was that Ranken graduates were extended offers to fill all three of the open positions.

Mike Gavin, North Regional Manager for MAVERICK Technologies, states, “We have found the curriculum and simulation labs at Ranken to be in sync with our ongoing delivery model of providing high end technological solutions to our customers. The foundation of our business is built on the design, development, testing and installation of PLC, HMI and data management systems.” Gavin concluded, “We see a great fit with the caliber of graduates we have hired and this is why we look to Ranken to help supply our personnel needs.”

By the way, the winner of the competition was team WET WILLIE, led by students Rob Banden and Dustin Reid. The winning time was 21.76 seconds. “The teams take the competition seriously, because they want bragging rights. They learn while having fun,” said Francis.

98% of Ranken graduates find gainful employment within 6 months of graduation. Ranken offers technical training in 5 core divisions - Automotive, Construction, Electrical, Information Technology and Manufacturing - and two Bachelor Degree programs, the Bachelor of Science in Architectural Technology and the new Bachelor of Science in Applied Management.

Ranken Technical College is located in St. Louis, MO and has over a century of educational excellence.   

For more information about all Ranken programs, contact Admissions at: 314-371-0236 or 866-4-RANKEN.