The Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CMA) is a building specially designed and equipped with all types of technology related to automation, the control of processes and measurement, machine tools, welding and plastics. This facility meets the practical as well as the certification needs of students.

It is comprised of the following areas:
 

LM 1: Laboratory Work Space CIM.

This laboratory has the equipment required to carry out tests related to Robotics, Numeric Control and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing. The equipment in the laboratory is made up of a smart Computer-Integrated Manufacturing system (iCIM) in accordance with the FESTO guidelines. FESTO is the company that designs and supplies much of the equipment.

In addition, the iCIM is made of up the following stations: a transport system, an AS/RS station for storage and access to work, a robot assembly station (Mitsubishi ®), a CNC docking station (lathe, milling cutter, and robot (Mitsubishi ®)), a SCARA robot (Mitsubishi ®) and a computer controlled cell with specific software.

 

In addition to the three robots previously mentioned, the work space has a Kuka robot, which can be integrated into the manufacturing system or be used for robotics practices by means of articulated arms that are the type used in industry. It does not form part of the manufacturing system but is instead used to carry out robotics practices.

 

 

LM 2: CAD/CAM Laboratory.

This is a laboratory for the exclusive use of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing software. Students are assigned a computer to use to help with the learning process in several subjects such as Design, Introduction to Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, Robotics, and CNC.

 

 

LM 3: Plastic Injection and Shaping

In order to carry out practices related to plastics, the UPSLP has a plastic injection machine.

LM 4: Iron and Non-iron Thermal Fusion and Treatment Laboratory

In order to carry out welding practices, there are three electric arc welding machines.

LM 5: Machine Tools Laboratory.

In this laboratory, practices related to manufacturing processes take place. Students’ abilities and skills are developed through the use of machines and tools commonly used in industry.

LM 8: Metrology Laboratory and Coordinate Measuring Machine.

The Metrology Laboratory has a wide variety of dimensional, analog and digital measuring equipment that allows students to prepare themselves to meet product quality standards by being mindful of the measurements and limits that clients require. In addition, there is a hardness testing machine, and part of the training in measurement includes the use of a coordinate measuring machine, which is located in a specially conditioned space in the LM1 laboratory.

LM 10: Industrial Hydraulics Laboratory.

In this laboratory, there is hydraulic automation equipment. There is also equipment for programming with microcontrollers (microchip ® and / or Arduino ®), as well as a variety of National Instruments ® equipment. Here students can acquire different competences related to programming, design, and digital system analysis.

LM 11: PLC and Sensor Laboratory.

Without a doubt, one of the most important technologies in automation and processes of control in industry and manufacturing are programmable logic controllers (PLCs). With this equipment, students can develop programming knowledge by learning sequential and step-by-step methods, which will facilitate and improve the level of control when used.

 

LM12: Industrial Pneumatics Laboratory

In this laboratory, there is pneumatic and electro-pneumatic equipment that can be used to carry out different practices. Thanks to advances in technology in the area of industrial communications, the laboratory also has special electrovalves used to perform practices in industrial communication networks through the use of PLCs.

 

LM 13: Production Laboratory.

Because this laboratory has a variety of equipment for automation and control processes, different types of practices for a variety of subjects can be done here. The subjects include: Process visualization systems SCADA, control processes, planning and control processes, and industrial networks. There are primarily two systems, the first being the Modular Production System (MPS) and the other being the Modular Production and Process Automation System (MPS-PA). Each system has different features that permit them to be used to conduct the previously mentioned practices.

Last but not least, it is important to mention that the laboratory has rapid prototyping machines where it is possible to make new products for design and analysis. This machine is also found in an assigned space inside of Laboratory LM1.

Department of Engineering in Manufacturing Technologies (ITMA)

itma@upslp.edu.mx