© 2008 Festo Corporation 82 U
Getting Started with Festo MecLab
Lesson Planning
Follow-up and assessment
Upon completion of each project exercise the students should be encouraged to reflect on
what they have accomplished. As part of this process students should conduct a presenta-
tion on what they have learned about the operation of the stations, the sensors, actuators
and control algorithms used in the stations. They should be able to provide an overview of the
stations. By doing this students should will understand that automated systems always in-
volve the interaction of sensors, actuators and controllers.
Future Projects
The exercises are intended to introduce the topic of automation. They help show how the sta-
tions are programmed and how they operate.
The problem definition in each exercise is written as though a “customer” is specifying what
they want from a machine builder. The learning experience can be made more realistic if the
teacher assumes the role of the "customer" and “hires” a group of students (who play the
role of “machine builder”) to supply a station (or a "production line") with a specific or de-
fined function. The students then need to plan, execute and document (e.g. including operat-
ing instructions) the project and “deliver” the "product" to the customer. The “delivery” of the
product can also include a formal presentation.
There is no sample solution for these problem definitions. This is intentional. Normally there
are several options for fulfilling a technical task. They should be assessed using the following
criteria:
1. Function. Did the project meet the specified function?
2. Economy. How much did it cost?
3. Deadline. Was the project completed on schedule?
4. Documentation. Were circuit diagrams, schematic diagrams, parts lists, programs, oper
ating instructions provided?
5. Project management. How well did the students work together? Did each student perform
in the group?
We have include a partial listing of project ideas, exercises, and suggestions for the technical
solutions. These project ideas fall into one of two categories: expanding the
Functions of individual stations and linking several stations to form a production line.
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