Virtual and Remote Laboratories for Industrial Automation E-learning

Abstract Nowadays one of the fundamental aspects of industrial automation concerns modeling discrete manufacturing processes and their control through Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). These subjects, apparently distinct, are indeed related because PLC programming in most cases are based on these models. Another essential topic is the use of SCADA systems and web panels as part of the monitoring process. Teaching these subjects require intensive use of laboratories with dedicated equipment and software. The problem arises when the course has more than one hundred students and the university policy is not to spend too many resources in teaching labs. This paper presents our last solution to the problem based on virtual experimental setups and the use of a remote laboratory with web panels and LabVIEW interfaces. The solution has been tested successfully and very important, using legal software at free cost for the student.