Mitsubishi Electric technology helps train future engineers 08 February 2013

A process industries training rig built at Humberside Engineering Training Association (HETA) and opened late last year is using Mitsubishi Electric PLCs, HMIs (human machine interfaces) and control software.

The rig, which faithfully simulates a live plant environment, was built to provide a range of educational scenarios for engineering students and apprentices working in the sector.

HETA, which is an industry Group Training Association providing engineering and process apprenticeship schemes from three sites around Humberside, says its rig will be used by about 80 full time apprentices and 100 adults on training courses per year.

The new rig was built over a four year period by the apprentices themselves. Initially a contractor poured the concrete for the civil works, but since then all mechanical and electrical work has been undertaken by apprentices.

One oil industry guest at the official opening was so impressed with the rig that he has already enquired about flying in students from America and other regions where his global company operates.

In brief detail, the rig is controlled by Mitsubishi Electric SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) and includes several Mitsubishi FX and Q series PLCs, as well as HMIs, pumps, valves, flowmeters and other fluid management equipment.

The control equipment, hardware and software was supplied by LC Automation, one of Mitsubishi's biggest UK distributors.

Mitsubishi Electric SCADA is key to ensuring the rig's flexibility for different training modules, and has been designed to provide scalable and reliable control and monitoring.

Meanwhile, the Mitsubishi FX PLCs allow trainees to become familiar with the concepts of process automation, and the Q-Series units take them to the latest in integrated control.

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Mitsubishi Electric Europe BV

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