Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2026 - MSE 924 G100

Smart Factory II (6)

Class Number: 3873

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 11 – Aug 10, 2026: Tue, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
    Surrey

  • Prerequisites:

    MSE 923. Recommended Prerequisite: MSE 353 (or equivalent).

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Smart automation takes industrial automation to the next level. Smart automation components and their integration for the application and implementation of automation tasks in Industry 4.0 production systems are introduced. Students analyze and simulate a smart manufacturing facility in terms of production time, cycle time, scheduling tasks, materials, cost, quality, labour, etc. A major component of this course is lab-based training using state-of-the-art industrial equipment.

COURSE DETAILS:

Week

Date

Weekly Focus (Main Topics)

Assignments Due

1

 

·     Course Outline and Introduction

·     Basic Collaborative Robot Programming using Simulation Software

  

2

 

·     Sequential Function Chart (SFC) Programming

 

3

 

·     Sequential Function Chart (SFC) Programming

 

4

 

·     IO Link Technology and Its Application in Smart Manufacturing

 

5

 

·     Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technologies and Their Applications in Smart Manufacturing

 

6

 

·     Digital Twins Fundamentals

 

9

 

·     PLC Programming, Structured Control Language (SCL)

 

10

 

·     PID Control

 

11

 

·     Advanced Collaborative Robot Programming

 

Week

(Hours)

Date

Weekly Focus (Main Topics)

Assignments Due

1

 

No Lab.

 

 

2

 

Lab. 1: Programming an UR Collaborative Robot

 

 

3

 

Lab. 2: IT/OT Integration using OPC UA Communication Protocol

 

 

4

 

Lab. 3: Introduction to NX Line Designer

and Introduction to Tecnomatix Process Simulate

 

5

 

Lab. 4: Introduction to Tecnomatix Plant Simulate

 

6

 

Lab. 5: Programming KUKA Collaborative/Industrial Robot (Part 1)

 

 

7

 

Lab. 6: Programming KUKA Collaborative/Industrial Robot (Part 2)

 

 

8

 

Lab. 7: PLC Programming using Structured Control Language (SCL) using TIA Portal (Part 1)

 

 

9

 

Lab. 8: PLC Programming using Structured Control Language (SCL) using TIA Portal (Part 2)

 

 

10

 

Lab. 9: Handling Analog Signals in PLCs

 

11

 

Lab. 10 Design and Implementation of PLC- HMI

 

12

 

Lab. 11 Implementation of PID Control Using PLCs

 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  1. Explore the implementation, operation, and commissioning of different technologies deployed in smart manufacturing systems.
  2. Learn Advanced PLC programming languages such as Sequential Function Chart (SFC), and Structured Control Language (SCL) using the Siemens TIA portal.
  3. Explore how to connect the IT and OT of a manufacturing enterprise using OPC UA communication protocols.
  4. Learn the implementation of PID controllers for a process using the Siemens TIA portal.
  5. Learn the configuration and setting up of an artificial vision camera.
  6. Be Familiar with RFID technologies in smart manufacturing.
  7. Learn programming collaborative robots.
  8. Develop a digital twin for a manufacturing process from a 3D static model to a 3D dynamic model, and virtual commissioning of the process using Siemens NXCAD, MCD, and PLCSIM Advanced.
  9. Learn how to design, implement, and commission the graphical user interfaces (GUI) of HMIs.

Grading

  • Quiz 1 8%
  • Quiz 2 8%
  • Quiz 3 8%
  • Quiz 4 8%
  • Quiz 5 8%
  • Lab 1- 10 60%

NOTES:

Smart Factory II 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, Siemens Digital Twin software, and hardware technologies such as NXCAD, MCD, and Technomatix.  SIF-400 mimics a highly automated smart factory including Industry 4.0 technologies, advanced manufacturing concepts, and the reality of the connected enterprise consisting 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), Identification technologies such as RFID technologies, and digital twins. 

  • This course will have 10 -11 Labs., (Time -permitting). Each Lab. should be accomplished in 2 -3 hours.
  • A group of two or 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.
  • Student attendance will be checked during Labs.
At the end of each Lab. students should present their progress and results to the instructor. Student’s initial preparedness and progress will be assessed based on a Lab.’s progress checklist that will be provided for each Lab. Marks will be based on initial preparedness and progress during each experiment.

REQUIREMENTS:

MISSED EVALUATIONS: QUIZ / EXAM /PROJECT PRESENTATION

  • There are no make-ups for missed evaluations and Labs. No exceptions will be made. Missed evaluations and Labs will be graded as zero. Students may be excused from a quiz or Lab. (i.e., will not receive zero) by following a few guidelines:
  • Contact the instructor via e-mail before the end of the day of the scheduled evaluation. Documentation may be requested (official note from a medical professional, ICBC report, etc.)
  • If the reason for the missed quiz is acceptable, the value of a missed quiz will be added to the next (other) quiz.
  • Students can not have more than two missed quizzes. If there are more than two missed quizzes, that quiz will be marked as zero.
  • There are no make-ups for the missed Labs.
  • There will be presence and absence recording in every Lab.
  • No arrangements will be made to accommodate travel plans, other courses, or non-medical appointments (such as driving license tests, athletic activities, sports events, etc.).
The quizzes MUST be written on the assigned dates in the Table on page 2.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Materials and Lab supplies will be provided by the course instructor. 

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.