BEIA612 

Module Name Lifecycle of an Industrial Automation Project 
  Module Code BEIA612 
    Level Six 
  Credits 15 
Module StatusCore

  

  

Module Description 

This module provides students with a structured understanding of the professional tasks, methodologies, and practices applied in the engineering of automation systems. Students will explore the complete lifecycle of a typical control and instrumentation (C&I) project, from defining industrial application requirements through to the design, integration, and commissioning of hardware and software solutions. The module examines top-down design methodologies, functional design specification, control system architecture, and project implementation strategies. Emphasis is placed on developing a professional and responsible approach to delivering automation solutions that meet operational, lifecycle, and sustainability requirements. 

Module Aims 

  • To provide students with a systematic understanding of automation system lifecycles and the industrial contexts that shape system design 
  • To enable students to plan, specify, and evaluate automation solutions using structured design methodologies  
  • To develop the capability to design and interpret control system architectures integrating field instrumentation, control units, operator interfaces, and data acquisition systems.
  • To foster professional skills for evaluating alternative system designs, considering operational performance, lifecycle costs, and sustainability. 

  

Learning Outcomes 

On successful completion of this Module, students are expected to be able to: 

  1. Determine characteristic features and performance expectations of automation systems according to industry type. 
    Bloom’s Level 5 
  1. Develop project plans for the implementation of an automation system. 
    Bloom’s Level 6 
  1. Develop and interpret control system architecture diagrams for integrating field instrumentation with control units, operator interfaces, and data acquisition systems. 
    Bloom’s Level 6 
  1. Compare alternative design proposals for automation systems and justify the most suitable version for the required lifetime of the plant. 
    Bloom’s Level 5 

  

Student Assessment 

  

Assessment Type When assessed Weighting (% of total module marks) Learning Outcomes Assessed 
Assessment 1    
Test  
Duration: 90 mins  		Due after Week 9  40%  1, 2  
Assessment 2  
Project (Report and Presentation)    
Word length: 4,800  		Final Week  60%    3, 4  

Assessment Overview  

Test: Administered online, may or may not be invigilated, conducted outside the end-of-semester assessment period. 

Student Homework  

Progressive Multi-Choice Quiz in Weeks 2 to 11.   

Prescribed and Recommended Readings 

Recommended Textbook(s)

M. P. Groover, Automation, Production Systems, and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, 4th Edition. Pearson, 2015. ISBN: 9781292076126 

Recommended Readings and References

Fundamentals of Industrial Automation, Revision 2, IDC Technologies, Perth. 

J. Stenerson, Industrial Automation and Process Control. Prentice Hall, 2002. ISBN-13: 9780130330307. 

Reddy, YJ 2015, Industrial Process Automation Systems – Design and Implementation, Elsevier, ISBN 978-0-12801-098-3.  

Caro, D 2014, Wireless Networks for Industrial Automation, 3rd ed, ISA, ISBN 978-0-876640-18-0. Online version available at:  www.Controldesign.com 

  

Indicative Content 

  • Industry sectors and their automation needs, including machinery automation for single machines such as injection moulding systems, manufacturing automation with production lines and cell manufacturing, the role of robotics, concepts of manufacturing systems, and characteristic needs of mining and chemical process automation. 
  • Automation system components and choices, including common automation terminology, overview of controllers such as DCS, SCADA, and PLC systems, control room displays and user interfaces, data capture devices, and industry-specific automation preferences. 
  • Typical functions and services of an automation system, including local and remote-control operations, human-machine interfaces for local supervision, area and control room operations with alarm management, and production recording with performance monitoring. 
  • Development of the functional design specification, including user requirements specification, key components and implications of the FDS, and software user requirements specification. 
  • Equipment selection practices, including benefits of PLC and DCS systems, instrumentation networks, maintenance facilities, and considerations for system expansion and long-term hardware/software support. 
  • Documenting the automation requirements, including standards for representing systems, instrumentation, and software, use of P&IDs to depict control system functions, creation of instrument and signal lists, and practical exercises in control definition. 
  • Engineering stages of the automation system, including project lifecycle stages for PLC and DCS systems from functional design to commissioning, client and contractor responsibilities, role of system integrators, and cost estimation principles in automation projects. 

  

Software/Hardware Used 

Software 

  • Software: Citect SCADA 
  • Version: N/A 
  • Instructions: N/A 
  • Additional resources or files: N/A 

Hardware 

  • N/A