Course syllabus - Smart Factories

Objectives

The aim of the course is to provide knowledge about the design of smart plants and knowledge of new technologies in digitalization and automation. As global competition become fiercer, new technologies are employed to increase the productivity of manufacturing systems through connectivity, intelligent systems, and automation. The course provides methods and guidelines for designing and running a smart factory. The course will also provide basic insight and understanding of the requirements need to adapt design rules for products to be manufactured in smart factories. 

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student shall be able to:
1. Understand the various major technology areas within smart factories 
2. Understand different basic principles for the operation and control of smart factories 
3. Describe and understand how smart machines and products interact in smart factories 
4. Demonstrate the ability to apply acquired knowledge to different use cases

Course content

The course contains lectures, project work, and assignments to enable the student to get knowledge of: 
- Components and technologies in smart factories and their properties 
- Manufacturing execution system (MES) 
- Smart production 
- Smart maintenance 

Specific requirements

75 credits in mechanical engineering, production engineering, product and process development, computer engineering and/or computer science or equivalent or 40 credits in engineering/technology and least 2 years' experience in full-time employment in a relevant area within industry.   

In addition, Swedish course B/Swedish course 3 and English course A/English course 6 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish course B/Swedish course 3. 

Examination

Assignment (INL1), 1.5 credit, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G) (examines learning outcomes 1-3) 
Project (PRO1), 1.5 credit, marks Fail (U), 3, 4 or 5 (examines learning outcomes 4) 

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Grading scale: 5, 4, 3

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The course overlaps 3 credits with PPU441 Industry 4.0 - Realisation.