Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - MSE 923 G100

Smart Factory I (6)

Class Number: 3921

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Surrey

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Wed, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
    Surrey

  • Prerequisites:

    Recommended Prerequisite: MSE 310, MSE 250, and MSE 352 (or equivalent).

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The smart factory is integral to Industry 4.0. Students will be provided with hands-on experience in main components of smart factory workcells. Students learn to design, install, maintain and troubleshoot key digital transformation components and automation equipment used in modern industrial production processes. A major component of the course is lab-based training using state-of-the-art industrial training equipment including programmable logic controllers, electro-pneumatics, and industrial robots.

COURSE DETAILS:

Smart Factory I is based on lectures and extensive Labs. The lectures cover the fundamental concepts of the technologies used in smart factories that make production faster, more efficient, and more customer-centric. In Labs. students will use the state-of-the-art SIF-400 training system that mimics a highly automated smart factory including Industry 4.0 technologies, advanced manufacturing concepts, and the reality of the connected enterprise that consists of production, assembly, logistics, and management operations. In particular, SIF-400 addresses more than 20 hardware and software technologies used in smart factories including industrial controllers, collaborative robots, web and cloud services, Ethernet communication, I-IoT communication protocols, industrial management systems, distributed I/O, artificial vision systems, energy efficiency, human-machine interfaces (HMI), RFID technologies, and digital twins. This facility is located in SRYC 3340.

In this course, the students will also use state-of-the-art facilities at Industrial Internet of Things (I-IoT) and Digital Twin Labs located at SRYC 4150. 

  • This course will have 10 -12 Labs., (Time -permitting). Each Lab. should be accomplished in 2 -3 hours.
  • A group of two to three students will work on each Lab. station.
  • Students should be well-prepared before each Lab. based on the documents and Lab. materials provided. At the beginning of each Lab., students will be asked about each experiment to assess their preparedness for each specific Lab.
• At the end of each Lab. students should present their progress and results to the instructor. Students' initial preparedness and progress will be assessed based on a lab progress checklist that will be provided for each lab. Marks will be based on initial preparedness and progress during each experiment.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

1. Explore the implementation, operation, and commissioning of different technologies deployed in smart manufacturing systems.

2. Learn PLC programming (Ladder and Sequential Function Chart (SFC)), I/O mapping, and network mapping based on PROFINET using the Siemens Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) portal.

3. Learn and gain hands-on experience with PLC control panel elements such as circuit breakers, relays, terminal blocks, and wiring diagrams.

4. Learn how to design, implement, and commission the graphical user interfaces (GUI) of HMIs.

5. Be familiar with the fundamentals, operation, and commissioning of electric and electro-pneumatic systems.

6. Be familiar with the fundamentals, operation, and commissioning of servo and stepper motors.

7. Gain hands-on experience with industrial proximity and color sensors.
8. Gain hands-on experience with Siemens NX CAD, NX MCD, and Tecnomatix software. 

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

·       Course Outline and Introduction

·       Artificial Vision Systems and their Applications in Smart Manufacturing

·       Longboard Products Field Visit

·       Fundamentals of Industrial Automation

·       QCA Presentation

·       Fundamentals of Electro-pneumatic Systems Including Valves, Cylinders, Air Treatment Units, and Circuits

·      

·       Fundamentals of Servo and Stepper Motors, Linear and Rotary Motors based on Brushless and Stepper Technologies

·       Proximity and Colour Sensors

·       PLC Control Panel Elements Including PLCs, RTUs, Circuit Breakers, Safety Relays, Electrical Terminals, and Wiring Diagrams

·       Fundamentals of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) and PLC Programming

·       Artificial Vision System Lab Project PowerPoint Presentation

·       Logical Design and Synthesis of Automation Systems

·       PLC Programming Using Ladder Diagram

·       PLC Programming Using Sequential Function Charts (SFC)

·       Course Project PowerPoint Presentations with Professionals Invited from Industry  

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.