Automation Technology for Mechanical Engineering
- Faculty
Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science
- Version
Version 1 of 20.02.2026.
- Module identifier
11B2303
- Module level
Bachelor
- Language of instruction
German
- ECTS credit points and grading
5.0
- Module frequency
winter and summer term
- Duration
1 semester
- Brief description
Automation technology is a recognized and relevant sub-discipline of engineering. It is used to control and regulate machines and systems and ultimately to make their operation more efficient, safer and more sustainable. This module prepares students for a career in industrial automation. The module builds on the “Electrical Engineering and Measurement Technology” module and uses basic principles from mathematics, particularly in the feedback control engineering section.
- Teaching and learning outcomes
- Automation technology as a sub-discipline of engineering sciences
- Delimitation of the sub-disciplines “measurement technology”, “control technology”, “feedback control engineering” and “information/communication technology”
- Relevance, tasks and objectives
- Exemplary examples in the industry
- Brief outline of practical control engineering
- Feedback as a control loop concept
- Operating point and linearization
- Mathematical description of dynamic systems
- Experimental methods for identifying common industrial controlled systems (P, PT1, PT-N)
- Heuristic rules for controller design
- Key performance indicators in closed control loops
- Measuringtechnology
- Activation of prior knowledge
- Typical industrial signals
- Control technology
- Naming systems
- Circuit diagrams
- Basics of digital logic (signals, signal types, linking binary signals in functions and switching systems)
- Rule setters and rules in automation technology
- Control technology hardware (automation stations, sensors, actuators)
- Control technology software
- Programming and project planning tools
- Basic course: Programming according to IEC61131 - function block language
- Basic course: Visualization in a SCADA system
- Automation management
- Investment calculation
- Tasks and methods in the life cycle
- Automation technology as a sub-discipline of engineering sciences
- Overall workload
The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").
- Teaching and learning methods
Lecturer based learning Workload hours Type of teaching Media implementation Concretization 45 Lecture Presence - 15 Laboratory activity Presence - Lecturer independent learning Workload hours Type of teaching Media implementation Concretization 60 Preparation/follow-up for course work - 30 Exam preparation -
- Graded examination
- Written examination
- Ungraded exam
- Field work / Experimental work
- Exam duration and scope
Graded examination:
- Written examination: see the applicable study regulations.
Ungraded examination:
- Experimental work: Practical training: attendance at all five or six practical training sessions; active participation; oral or written presentation of the procedure and results at the end of the practical training.
- Recommended prior knowledge
Successful completion of the modules Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
- Literature
Loose, Tobias (2022): Angewandte Regelungs- und Automatisierungstechnik, Springer eBooks, [online] doi:10.1007/978-3-662-64847-6.
Seitz, Matthias (2015): Speicherprogrammierbare Steuerungen für die Fabrik- und Prozessautomation, [online] doi:10.3139/9783446444188.
Wellenreuther, Günter/Dieter Zastrow (2015): Automatisieren mit SPS - Theorie und Praxis, Springer eBooks, [online] doi:10.1007/978-3-8348-2598-8.
- Applicability in study programs
- Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor)
- Mechanical Engineering B.Sc. (01.09.2025)
- Mechanical Engineering in Practical Networks
- Mechanical Engineering in Practical Networks B.Sc. (01.03.2026)
- Aircraft and Flight Engineering
- Aircraft and Flight Engineering B.Sc. (01.09.2025)
- Automotive Engineering (Bachelor)
- Automotive Engineering B.Sc. (01.09.2025)
- Person responsible for the module
- Liebler, Klaus
- Teachers
- Liebler, Klaus
- Niemeyer, Philip